I've always enjoyed riding but have always taken a passive role with motorcycles. Two years ago I started my own business and it's finally gotten to a place where I am on a pretty regular schedule and have time to reap some benefits and free time. I've always wanted to learn mechanics and work on bikes so for Christmas a good friend heard of a guy losing a hiding spot in a garage under his work so he had to part ways with a non-running 79 GS550E (although the po said it was fine; he just stopped riding). It was pretty cheap so he bought it and basically unloaded it off at my house. I wasn't really concerned so much about it being a money sink or if there was something seriously wrong with it the po was hiding. I was basically amped about the learning experience. I downloaded the manual and with these forums as a second resource got to work. I don't have a lot of time but the extra I do I put into the bike. I finally got it running steady yesterday and felt confident enough for a ride around the block. Super happy that worked out.
Having no mechanical experience there are a few things that I've come across that I can't really pinpoint and lack the right knowledge to properly pose the question. I feel nervous going to a shop because I think they'll just look at me like an idiot or not really be able to understand what I'm saying or they won't want to just hand out free mechanical advice. Whatever the result may be I figure this is a good time to lose my "lurker" status here and get into the conversation.
Here are the two things I've been left with and can't figure out.
1. The electric start just won't work. The button works to trigger the relay. I've tested the flow from the battery to the relay, the relay to the motor and all looks as it should. The starter motor spins. The engine will not crank over. I've drained the oil and taken off the cover more times than I care to admit and I feel like a dumb*** but for whatever reason I have not been able to figure out where the disconnect is. Side note, kickstarter works great. Hooray for that at least. If that wasn't there I'd probably have never gotten this thing started ever. Haha.
2. Due to my lack of experience this item is more just an inquiry for reassurance or a question for a trained ear. I've never owned or dealt with a motorcycle that's been in existence longer than I have so I'm not exactly sure HOW it's supposed to sound. When it's running there's a soft airy sound sort of like a steam engine. It also is audible during manual compression if I push the kickstarter down with my hand. Is that OK and a normal sound or is that a problem?
Once I got these two things worked out I'll start looking around for stuff to make it pretty again. Thanks for the help and thanks to everyone for making this forum such a valuable tool open for anyone and everyone.
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