Not getting spark. Now what?

[rustybronco]

Take a look through the smoke breaker cover on this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRRRjT7c3Eg

This model uses points.

Pull the cover on yours and see what's under it.

[fyarl666]

Is there still a VIN sticker on the steering head? It will list the exact model and year if there is.

If not, give us the VIN stamped in the steering head. We can figure it out from there.

Look under the little round cover over the right side end of the crankshaft to know for sure.

That sticker is still there, starting to wear off around the edges. I'm at work right now, but as soon as I'm done, I'll check it out and report back with my findings.

And I'm almost positive it is a contacts point bike, I'll open that cover on the right side crank case and see what's what.

If it is a problem with the contacts, what should I be looking for and what can I do to fix it?

[tkent02]

Slow down, Glasshopper! The build date and year model code are on the sticker, or at least they were.

Points are easy to fix, but the first step is to understand how they work.

Very simple to fix.

[fyarl666]

Slow down, Glasshopper! The build date and year model code are on the sticker, or at least they were.

All I could get was a serial #, the date code was worn off right where the date stamp was.

Serial # is JS1GK51L8B2100475

Don't know if that helps, it's the best I can get for now.

And I couldn't unscrew the points cover. I need some better tools with me, all I've got is just a lousy little screwdriver.

[rustybronco]

She's a 1981 model.

JS1, Japan Suzuki 1=(motorcycle)

GK51L, G=multiple cylinder sport street -K=250~399cc - 5=4 stroke twin- 1=1st version - L=(variant).

8, check digit

B, 1981

2100475, consecutive build number

[fyarl666]

She's a 1981 model.

JS1, Japan Suzuki 1=(motorcycle)

GK51L, G=multiple cylinder sport street -K=250~399cc - 5=4 stroke twin- 1=1st version - L=(variant).

8, check digit

B, 1981

2100475, consecutive build number

So it is indeed an 81 GS400L, yes? So why is everyone so confused whenever Im trying to find parts for it?

[rustybronco]

It's probably an imported model. (Canada?)

http://www.suzukicycles.org/GSX-series/GSX400L.shtml

Seat on Ebay (located in Kanada)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/S1108-SEAT-for-GS400L-SUZUKI-1981-/351087654502?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_210&hash=item51be747666&vxp=mtr

[fyarl666]

It's probably an imported model. (Canada?)

I am indeed in Canada. I can only assume that the bike was originally purchased new in Canada, as it used to have a dealership sticker on the back fender that was from Melfort, Saskatchewan.

Also, I noticed there was a black box next to the R/R that says TR.IGNITER. I'm assuming that this is indeed the igniter I may have inadvertently fried?

[rustybronco]

Well lets not assume anything at this point in time. I think it best 5o figure out what is wrong with it.

See if there is a part number on that igniter and if there happens to be one, post it up in this thread.

[fyarl666]

See if there is a part number on that igniter and if there happens to be one, post it up in this thread.

It says BB1201żA 12V TR.IGNITER NO3290 47020 KOKUSA DENKI

Gonna grab some better tools in a bit and try to get that plate off to see if it's got a points plate.

[tkent02]

It wouldn't have both points and an ignitor. It would have little magnetic pick ups around the crankshaft end, which has a rotating magnet on it. This sends a signal to the ignitor so it can tell the ignition coils when to make a spark. The weak point is the ignitor, it's the only thing that can really be hurt by a failed regulator allowing the wrong voltage.

[rustybronco]

O3290 47020 KOKUSA DENKI
.

This should be you igniter part number ill see what models it fits when I get a bit more time.

[rustybronco]

The part number for a 1981 GS450L igniter is 32900-47020

Find a shop manual for a GS450 or any other model that uses it and get started testing the SYSTEM.

FITS....

Part Number or Accessory Name

1980 SUZUKI GS250T - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1980 SUZUKI GS450ET - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1980 SUZUKI GS450LT - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1980 SUZUKI GS450ST - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1980 SUZUKI GS550LT - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1980 SUZUKI GS550T & ET - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1981 SUZUKI GS250TX - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1981 SUZUKI GS450EX - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1981 SUZUKI GS450LX - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1981 SUZUKI GS450SX - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1981 SUZUKI GS450TX - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1982 SUZUKI GS450EZ - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1982 SUZUKI GS450LZ - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1982 SUZUKI GS450TXZ - SIGNAL GENERATOR
1982 SUZUKI GS450TZ - SIGNAL GENERATOR

[fyarl666]

Yeah I couldn't get that cap off the right side of the crank case, all i did was strip two if the screws holding it on, but I see it has a gasket in there, so it's probably got crank case oil in it, not the points plate.

So what's the next step? I need to get it home first of all, but I still want to get the tank off to get at the coils.

As far as doing a full system text on a bike that won't start, how do I go about it? Am I just doing resistance tests all over the whole bike?

[tkent02]

Yeah I couldn't get that cap off the right side of the crank case, all i did was strip two if the screws holding it on, but I see it has a gasket in there, so it's probably got crank case oil in it, not the points plate.

So what's the next step?

Get an impact driver, the hand held type you hit with a hammer. Needed for any screw on any old motorcycle. There's no oil in there with either ignition type, in fact that cover is vented. The gasket is just to keep water out if you go deep.

The pickups in there are probably OK, there's no system voltage going to them so they wouldn't have gotten hurt by your over voltage. It's just a magnet and a couple coils.

There are ignitor tests shown in the service manual as Rusty says.