83 gs 650 hard start!

[Guest]

My gs 650 is a bitch to start after setting for more than a few days. It cranks..cranks..cranks, then eventually one cylinder will catch, then another and then they all come to life. I thought originally the battery voltage was low, so I charged it and now it cranks faster, but still wont start like it should. Is this an "ethanol" problem? Is it needles and seats? I just had the carbs apart at the begining of this season and everything is clean and blowed out. I am running sunoco premium, should I add stabil or seafoam.... I am lost.

[JTGS850GL]

Have you tried to put the petcock in PRIme mode for a few seconds before you try to start it. Might just be fuel evaporation dropping the fuel level low in the float bowls. Cranking in the ON position will very slowly fill the bowls but in Prime mode it will fill them in a few seconds.

[Nessism]

Agree about priming the carbs if it's been a few days between starts.

Also, how long since your last valve adjustment? Failing to adjust the valves will have them hanging open and loosing compression, and continuing to run the bike will cause the valves to burn.

[tom203]

Probably clogged "choke " circuits in carbs -this supplies a bit extra fuel to aid cold start. During carb cleaning, you need to pay attention to the "choke "passages to make sure fuel can be delivered from fuel bowls up into carb throats, And apply NO throttle during cold stsrt or you defeat this system!Mine has always liked almost full choke activation for cold start. I can go weeks of sitting without using "pr" spot on petcock.

skip the premium fuel nonsense -87 octane is fine

[Steve]

Three suggestions here:
1. Clean the carbs, replace the o-rings. You said you "had them apart", but did not say that you had refurbished them.
2. Check valve adjustment. Tight valves (the usual scenario) cause hard starting.
3. Ditch the "premium" fuel. These bikes run just fine on "regular".

.

[sixty8cat]

wow...this is all great info. Thank you all for responding. I will getting on the valve adjusting soon. I have never done it so it must be done. Will definitely try the prime position also.

[tom203]

Make sure you get correct camcover gasket for your 83 model - it has extra bolt hole compared to 81 model. Best to stick with genuine suzuki gasket; there are always some on ebay.

[BigD_83]

Where are you located? Goto User CP, and add in a location and signature block. Could be someone nearby to help you out.

My vote is start with the valves.