GS1100 starting issue

[Guest]

I recently just acquired a 83 GS1100. Got it started the day I picked it up by jumping it, brought it home hooked a battery up again to start it and start inspecting things and it won’t crank. All my instrument lights are on. No signals or head light. Just all my dummy lights. Any input would be helpful.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Buy a battery. You know you need one. Check all the fuses. Jumping it from a vehicle battery is Ok as long as that vehicle isn’t running. Hopefully you knew that when you jumped it.

[Somedayrockstar]

When I picked it up from the guy he used a jump pack. And right now I’m using a car battery that’s disconnected from a car. Just trying to see what kind of shape this thing is in to see how much I want to invest into it.

Fuses and things are all good. Just wasn’t sure what it meant when the oil, battery, side stand, headlamp, tail lamp, stop lamp were all lit up. The neutral light functions correctly.

[oldGSfan]

All the top row (by memory) of lights light up red as a test check when you turn the key on, then when started they should go out. Given that it won't light the signals and headlamp points to weak battery, that's exactly what mine did until i got the new one.

[posplayr]

When I picked it up from the guy he used a jump pack. And right now I’m using a car battery that’s disconnected from a car. Just trying to see what kind of shape this thing is in to see how much I want to invest into it.

Fuses and things are all good. Just wasn’t sure what it meant when the oil, battery, side stand, headlamp, tail lamp, stop lamp were all lit up. The neutral light functions correctly.

The evidence suggests that your bike will start assuming the battery is A.) in good condition and B.) has an adequate state of charge(SOC).

There is not much more to say but that conditions A and B are both required to restore the running behavior you experienced before.

You can approximate this with some external power source, but that will not likely allow you the freedom to ride around the block.

[Somedayrockstar]

Figured it out. The kill switch even though I cycled it several times can stop to far back braking the circuit. But I found a sweet spot and it fires up every time there.

I just didn’t remember seeing the whole top row lighting up the other night. I know the oil one did. But didn’t see the others. It was late and just wanted to get it and go home. Now I’m wondering if it was the right decision. It needs a lot of work.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Too late now. Don’t worry. Everyone here will help you get through it. Start with the newbie mistakes thread. And get a service manual and owners manual from BikeCliff’s website. Both linked in my signature.

[Rob S.]

Do we know It's 2 or 4 valve, chain or shaft? Put it in your signature and we'll always know.