GS450L clicking but not starting

[Guest]

I recently purchased a 1980 GS450L and it's my first real motorcycle. (I rode a manumatic 110 cc bike in Hanoi.)

It had been sitting all winter and most of the previous riding season. I was told it was ridden around a bit the same day before I first saw it, but then it took us about an hour with a trickle charger to get it going. Long story short, I bought it (for a thousand bucks) and then trailered it to my house.

I couldn't get it started, it sounded like it was turning over but just barely not starting. I tried trickle charging it overnight, but I left the keys in the on position the whole time.

I bought a new battery and put it together and then charged it for the recommended time (and not a drop more). I reinstalled it in what I think is the right position and the bike is lighting up, but when I push the starter (while holding the clutch and having the engine stop off) I just get a nice loud click and nothing happens.

Where do I go from here? I have no idea how to troubleshoot now that the battery seems fine. I'm trying to ride this 400 miles next weekend and I'd really like to have it going by then. Thanks in advance.

[tkent02]

I recently purchased a 1980 GS450L and it's my first real motorcycle. (I rode a manumatic 110 cc bike in Hanoi.)

It had been sitting all winter and most of the previous riding season. I was told it was ridden around a bit the same day before I first saw it, but then it took us about an hour with a trickle charger to get it going. Long story short, I bought it (for a thousand bucks) and then trailered it to my house.

I couldn't get it started, it sounded like it was turning over but just barely not starting. I tried trickle charging it overnight, but I left the keys in the on position the whole time.

I bought a new battery and put it together and then charged it for the recommended time (and not a drop more). I reinstalled it in what I think is the right position and the bike is lighting up, but when I push the starter (while holding the clutch and having the engine stop off) I just get a nice loud click and nothing happens.

Where do I go from here? I have no idea how to troubleshoot now that the battery seems fine. I'm trying to ride this 400 miles next weekend and I'd really like to have it going by then. Thanks in advance.

Wow, start here:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

You have a LOT of research to do.

Post your location, there are probably forum member near you that would be happy to help you figure out what it needs.

Most likely it needs to have about thirty years of neglected maintenance caught up, it wont happen by next weekend.

[CarbonFusion]

I had figured the carbs and oil would need some TLC, but I was hoping that other than an old battery it would be willing to go. I'll start looking over the information on that website.

I live in the Oakland Neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. If anyone wants to come out and take a look at it for me I'd happily pay in food and/or beer. To be honest, when I said "trailer" before, what I meant was "shoved into a minivan". I can also post some pictures of specific parts of the bike if anyone thinks that would help.

[Flyboy]

Welcome to the nut house, pull up a floorboard and make yourself at home.
Firstly, take Tom's advice, spend some time of Basscliff's website, download the manual for your bike, and get cracking on the much needed maintenance items, you have a thirty year old bike, that needs a bunch of work done to it, even if you don't think so.
There are a bunch of people here who have years and years of experience on these bikes and have seen it, done it all and mostly done it twice, and are more than willing and eager to share their knowledge and experience, as long as you pay heed.
Do this and you will be on the road to many years of GS happiness.

Sounds like your starter is the culprit, may be in need of new brushes/bushes, a lot of times you get lucky and it is just grime creating the trouble, a good strip and clean and re-grease may have it spinning like new again.

Oh, and we like pictures, lots of them...........of the bike, not you.
Best way is to post them to a photobucket account and paste the [img] links into your post, that will allow you 10 pics per post.

[BigD_83]

In all seriousness, good luck. You've taken on an unknown bike, with no maintenance history, and it will need some work to get you on the road.

I hope that some of the known electrical gremlins are not the cause of your battery/starter's demise, as that could put a serious damper on your plans for next week. However, the known problems provide a platform from which to start diving into your ride.

Like Flyboy says, it sounds like a bunged-up starter...the clicking is the solenoid. I'd start there.

Remember, with a bike this old, you are going to run into difficulties, so try not to get frustrated. Go step by step, get it running, make it safe, and then start making it better.

Most importantly, have fun.

The search function is useful, but you should limit your searches to "Titles Only" if you run into the dreaded <fatal php search error>. That just means you have too many hits. You can also limit your search to particular subforums and by date (e.g. the last year)

I hope you get it going. If you do, and you make it on your trip, shoot some pics, and post up a GS Story in the appropriate fourm.

Best of luck. Welcome to the GSR.

[tkent02]

Like Flyboy says, it sounds like a bunged-up starter...the clicking is the solenoid. I'd start there.

Just a guess, but it's more likely the wiring to the starter that's the problem. Corrosion in the wires from the battery + post to the solenoid, from the solenoid to the starter, and especially the ground wire from the back of the engine to the battery - post.

You know, the big black one that's hard to reach and hasn't been removed once since the bike was built. Usually there is a ton of corrosion on that bolt.

[BigD_83]

Just a guess, but it's more likely the wiring to the starter that's the problem. Corrosion in the wires from the battery + post to the solenoid, from the solenoid to the starter, and especially the ground wire from the back of the engine to the battery - post.

You know, the big black one that's hard to reach and hasn't been removed once since the bike was built. Usually there is a ton of corrosion on that bolt.

True enough, and easier to check than pulling the starter out and apart.

[JTGS850GL]

I'd pull the "points" cover and see if the engine will turn over by hand. Use a 19mm socket wrench and turn the crank clockwise.

[CarbonFusion]

It started!

I was actually in the middle of making a video for you guys when I noticed I'd forgotten to connect the positive lead to the solenoid. I hooked it up and it decided to start!

That being said, I know it needs a lot of work before I should try to take it on a long trip. I'll start scouring this site for information on what to do and how to do it. Right now I'm thinking the oil and oil filter need to be changed, the brake fluid should be adjusted since I moved the handlebars and the carbs will need to be cleaned and synced. I'll also try to find the dial that adjusts the idle.

Thanks for your help guys, I'll take some pictures of my trip if I do it on the bike!

[tkent02]

the brake fluid should be adjusted since I moved the handlebars

No, replace the brake fluid since it hasn't been done in decades. If the fluid isn't clear as water take the calipers apart and clean the sludge and chunks out.
Replace the brake lines. Take the master cylinder apart and clean it out too, or just buy a new one.

Brakes locking up out of the blue is a bad thing that bites a lot of unsuspecting riders.

[cowboyup3371]

Please take Tkent's advice, visit Basscliff's site and read through the Read Me list containing the recommended maintenance needs. Also read through the Top Ten Newbie Mistakes thread here on the forum