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No power to starter on 81' GS1100e

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    No power to starter on 81' GS1100e

    So I picked up this 81' GS1100E with 19,000 miles on the odometer for $300 recently. It's been sitting under a tarp outside since last ran in 2014 just long enough to show city code enforcement that it's in working order because of a pesky neighbor complaining about a few vehicles parked on the property. Prior to that it had been sitting since 2004...at least this is the story the seller told me which seemed believable.
    This is a whole nother issue but he said he owned it a year when it developed an engine noise which is when he parked it, covered it and forgot about it. I need to get it around to starting status so I can hear what it is he was describing and go from there.
    I popped an extra bike battery in it just to see if I could bump the starter to make sure that was at least in working order. All the lights work as well as all the idiot lights on the dash although the horn and starter button do not. To clarify I did fully engage the clutch as well as open the headlight bucket and bypass the clutch switch all together, the kill switch is in the run position and the ignition fuse seems to be intact. When I get time I will open the run/kill switch to inspect but is there any other obvious things to eliminate?
    I will be learning about this bike as I work on it, I owned an 81' 750E for 2 years back in the late 80's and loved the bike. I have been looking for a cool old bike to use as a rider and am excited about this one. Thanks for the welcome to the site and any opinions and advice along the way!
    Here's the pic the seller had in his Craigslist ad from 04' when he first bought it....I'll post a pic of it as I went and looked at it, there was a difference in appearance but its cleaning up quite nicely.
    Attached Files
    -1981 Suzuki GS1100E
    -1975 Honda CB400 Super Sport
    -1981 Vespa P200E
    -1990 Ktm 540 dxc
    -1982 Ktm 495
    -1981 Ktm 495
    -1989 Atk 406
    -1987 Cr 500R
    -1982 Yz 125

    #2
    How it looked under the tarp...fuel tank is a third full and clean as a whistle inside although the petcock is stuck in on position. Surprisingly tires held air and are still up 3 weeks later.
    Attached Files
    -1981 Suzuki GS1100E
    -1975 Honda CB400 Super Sport
    -1981 Vespa P200E
    -1990 Ktm 540 dxc
    -1982 Ktm 495
    -1981 Ktm 495
    -1989 Atk 406
    -1987 Cr 500R
    -1982 Yz 125

    Comment


      #3
      Good that you know about the clutch interlock switch.

      WHen you say "no power to the starter" is that because you didnt hear any grunting-turning...? Or did you measure with a meter....?

      Any click at all?

      If have meter, also measure at the small wire on the side of the solenoid when push the starter button....

      Hasnt run in 4 years, and 10 years before that...... makes me wonder about the gas in tank and carb bowls, and condition of the cylinder walls and such.
      http://webpages.charter.net/ddvrnr/GS850_1100_Emblems.jpg
      Had 850G for 14 years. Now have GK since 2005.
      GK at IndyMotoGP Suzuki Display... ... GK on GSResources Page ... ... Euro Trash Ego Machine .. ..3 mo'cykls.... update 2 mocykl


      https://imgur.com/YTMtgq4

      Comment


        #4
        Jump the starter relay with a screwdriver and see if the starter turns.
        In the meantime, dribble some Marvel Mystery oil into the cylinders via the spark plug holes
        Then, test the starter relay trigger wire while pressing the starter button
        1978 GS 1000 (since new)
        1979 GS 1000 (The Fridge, superbike replica project)
        1978 GS 1000 (parts)
        1981 GS 850 (anyone want a project?)
        1981 GPZ 550 (backroad screamer)
        1970 450 Mk IIID (THUMP!)
        2007 DRz 400S
        1999 ATK 490ES
        1994 DR 350SES

        Comment


          #5
          When I say no power to the starter you are correct, kind of a guess at this point as I didnt check it with a meter just under the assumption as there is no solenoid click or turning of the starter.
          The fuel needs to be drained for sure. Carbs need going through and I will pull plugs and put a little Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder before any attempt to start it at a minimum. I'm hoping cylinder walls are fine, Alaska isn't a humid place so that's a plus. I'm ahead of the routine by messing with the starter but I would like to hear it bump so I know working.
          -1981 Suzuki GS1100E
          -1975 Honda CB400 Super Sport
          -1981 Vespa P200E
          -1990 Ktm 540 dxc
          -1982 Ktm 495
          -1981 Ktm 495
          -1989 Atk 406
          -1987 Cr 500R
          -1982 Yz 125

          Comment


            #6
            Out of curiosity, how long has ethanol fuel been served up there?
            1981 gs650L

            "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

            Comment


              #7
              Thanks for the input, I will do as you suggest and search out the starter relay to jump to see if it will bump for me.
              -1981 Suzuki GS1100E
              -1975 Honda CB400 Super Sport
              -1981 Vespa P200E
              -1990 Ktm 540 dxc
              -1982 Ktm 495
              -1981 Ktm 495
              -1989 Atk 406
              -1987 Cr 500R
              -1982 Yz 125

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by tom203 View Post
                Out of curiosity, how long has ethanol fuel been served up there?
                To be honest I'm not sure.
                -1981 Suzuki GS1100E
                -1975 Honda CB400 Super Sport
                -1981 Vespa P200E
                -1990 Ktm 540 dxc
                -1982 Ktm 495
                -1981 Ktm 495
                -1989 Atk 406
                -1987 Cr 500R
                -1982 Yz 125

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Cwoods View Post
                  Alaska isn't a humid place
                  ?!? Alaska isn't a humid place ?!?
                  1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                  2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Rob S. View Post
                    ?!? Alaska isn't a humid place ?!?
                    My sarcasm has evaded you....lol
                    I've only lived here 50 years come May.....
                    -1981 Suzuki GS1100E
                    -1975 Honda CB400 Super Sport
                    -1981 Vespa P200E
                    -1990 Ktm 540 dxc
                    -1982 Ktm 495
                    -1981 Ktm 495
                    -1989 Atk 406
                    -1987 Cr 500R
                    -1982 Yz 125

                    Comment

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