Turns over but won't start (I USED SEARCH)

[gs550marc]

No spark

You were all correct about no Spark.

I tried it again yesterday and got NOTHING.

The first time I checked after posting this thread, I tried and did see spark, but by the way I described it, others told me that was very weak.

So where to I go from here?

Bietau85 was nice enough to help me out a bit, and I did check the grounds and connections by the ignitor under the air box, but everything seemed fine (with multimeter).

Again, I am lost... but I atleast have a reason.

And fuel is definitely getting to the carbs as I pulled the fuel line from petcock to carbs and I made a mess in the garage.

I also tried spraying starter in airbox to start it up, and nothing.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. gs550marc,

Follow the maintenance lists in your "mega-welcome". They'll get you started. You have a 30 year old motorcycle that needs 20 years worth of maintenance. Don't take shortcuts or skip any steps or you will be frustrated.

Let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed. I will put you on my prayer list.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[tom203]

Mr.gs550marc: you said you had a new battery- but is it being charged and keeping the system voltage above 12.5 volts? Since it was running ok and then things went downhill, check connections/fuses to find out why you have weak/no spark now. Scoop a readable wiring diagram off Basscliff's while you're looking for troubleshooting tips.

[gs550marc]

Tom, the battery is keeping a great charge.

It doesn't seem to be the elcetrical in this case. Apparantly some residue is going from then tank to carbs and clogging it up. I have take the carbs off and I will clean them tomorrow.

I think this means new tank! Or treat the one I have? This could be a good excuse to get a bit of a cafe style going with a new seat which I am planning to build soon.

[gs550marc]

Back to where I started...

So I took out the carbs, air blasted all the little pieces, put it back in... air blasted the (brand new) petcock, made sure fuel was going from tank to carb (by means of making a mess on the floor) and the bike still won't start. I am getting spark and the charge is very strong. A mechanic friend thinks that little rust particles are clogging up the fuel on the way to the carb or possibly in the carb which is why I cleaned them, but there was no difference.

I have my evaporust to clean my tank out tonight (I was planning to do this) but I don't see how this will get my bike to start.

If someone would like me to take a video of something specific on my motorcycle to see if they can diagnose the problem, please let me know and I'd be glad to. I will try to take a general video going through most of the bike which lasts longer than that 10 second video I posted earlier.

Thanks guys, this is pretty frustrating for me as that nice days are going to start to dwindle soon up here in NY, so I appreciate that you all haven't written me off yet!

[MisterCinders]

I'd be surprised if you have particles in the gas so bad that they won't start on clean carbs. Is the gas in your fuel line coming through like mud?

To rule out the fuel issue, put some gas in a small container and fill the carb bowls. If it starts from that clean fuel, then your tank/petcock are indeed performing some kind of petrol to mud alchemy.

If you are now getting spark but not firing, check your timing. If spark and air fuel don't meet, they cannot fall in love.

[gs550marc]

She runs!!!

First time I've heard her run in 2 months. I forgot what she sounded like. So I did a complete overhaul of the inside of the tank with evaporust (which I have pictures but the write up on here is very well done) and I cleaned out the carbs. I had to manually suck the vacuum tube to make sure gas was coming out and it was. So we fired her up and she sounds great. I am still having a problem keeping the idle after a minute or two. She ends up bogging down and shutting off, but I will work on that tomorrow. Can any one point me in the right direction? I assume I will have to do some fine tuning with the carbs? Is that what "jetting" is? Or playing with the air mixture screws? (Which I have set to 2 turns out).

Anyways, thanks for all the help. I will try and use search more often. Hopefully I can atleast get a "test ride" tomorrow if the rain stops.