'80GS1100E Starter Issue

[Guest]

So I've been trying to get my $350 GS1100 started. Bought a new battery, charged it up. Bike turned over a few times, wouldn't start -- figured it wasn't getting gas. Now, when I hit the starter what I assume is the solenoid just goes *click*. checked the battery w/a multi meter and its apparently fully charged. The clutch safety appears to be OK. What now? Any thing endemic to these bikes?

[JTGS850GL]

If you have a $350 GS1100 then you have a lot more work to do then just buy a battery. Go BikeCliff's web site and download the factory service manual.
The electrical diagram for your bike should be in the manual. You'll probably also need to download the CV carb rebuild tutorial along with how to adjust your valves tutorial.

Go to the GS Resource Greetings link in my sig and you'll find a list of things to consider working on your new to you bike.

You might also want to put your bike into your sig so others wont have to ask you what it is if you don't include it in the title line or message.

[yooperbikemike]

I already got the manual, and actually, the bike isn't in bad shape -- just trying to get it running before I start overhauling everything

[JTGS850GL]

If the bike has sat for any length of time or the PO didn't do the proper maintenance then you need to do the work. One of the primary reasons for both electrical and run issues is the lack of proper maintenance. Trust me... You need to do the work.

[mmattockx]

checked the battery w/a multi meter and its apparently fully charged.

Define 'fully charged'. What is the static voltage? What voltage do you get with the ignition switched to 'on' and the headlight on? I second what JTGS850GL said, you have a lot of maintenance to do and things to check before worrying about it running much.


Mark

[yooperbikemike]

12.6 volts -- slightly less with the ignition switched on

[JTGS850GL]

Add to that, what voltage do you see at each side of the starter solenoid and the starter motor when cranking?

[yooperbikemike]

Starter motor doesn't crank -- did for a little while, now it doesn't -- recharged the battery w/a trickle charger -- didn't help.

[mmattockx]

Add to that, what voltage do you see at each side of the starter solenoid and the starter motor when cranking?

Starter motor doesn't crank -- did for a little while, now it doesn't -- recharged the battery w/a trickle charger -- didn't help.

The point is to keep checking voltages until you find the spot that is low or can identify the starter as the culprit. What voltage do you see on the +ve terminal on the starter relay? What voltage do you see on the starter side terminal of the relay when you push the starter button?

Your battery sounds OK for the moment, so I would move on downstream and keep checking everything between the battery and the starter.


Mark

[yooperbikemike]

So, I've been doing a little trouble shooting and it actually worked briefly, and got it started. Then It reverted to its old ways. Pulled the starter and it tested good. Got power across the starter relay. Hooked the starter up to the relay out of the bike and everything worked. The motor itself is free. So, there's something keeping the starter from spinning. Next step is to pull the cover off the side of the engine and check the starter clutch.

[Fjbj40]

Good ground? As in making good ground from battery to engine, try a new ground wire from battery to engine case. Maybe try new positive wire from battery to solenoid. Sure sounds like something simple, try the basics first.
Just because it spins off the engine doesn't mean the wire can carry load, as in when the starter try's to turn the engine over.