1980 GS 1000 - I'm in over my head

[Roadrash 1000]

I bought a 1980 GS 1000 last week from a supercool old guy who had 17 bikes. He said it ran great last time he had it out 5 years ago. He said dump the old gas that had stabalizer in it out, change the oil and get a battary and she should start. So I did this and nothing happened. The head light worked along with the plinkers, and there was clicking when I hit the starter switch in a little box by the battery. Over the phone he walked me through some tests to see what was wrong. When it came to the starter I was told to take off the possitive cable to the bike starter and get my car battery. I hooked the car battery up first with the jumper cables (car not running) then placed the negative jumper on the frame and the possitive on the starter bolt. The starter spun great and I was happy. Then I noticed that the bike no longer had head lights or blinkers and the clicking stopped and no spark at the plugs. The old man said I was supposed to disconnect the bike battery first. Does anybody have any ideas what I blew? What I should check first and how to check it? I have very little mechanical skills but I have a few motorhead friends who could help me out. The old man said the bike goes like a bat out of hell, so theres no turning back for me. If there's a brother out there that knows something about this bike I could use your help. The old man called me back later and told me he forgot to tell me to pull in the clutch when starting it even in nutral. He said he read it had this safty feature. I think the bike is a 1980 GS1000G, it is a shaft drive. Thanks, John

[Tarbash 27]

check the fuses behind the sidecover. check the starter relay, which is the little clicking box. clean the terminals on it. make sure your battery is fully charged. pulling in the clutch all the ways is safety device so it wont run away in gear. consider cleaning out the carburetors too.

[Roadrash 1000]

Thanks Tarbash for the help so quick! The fuses were all good on the panel. I'll have a friend check the starter relay like you said today.

[nabrams]

No matter what the old man said, you're going to have to spend a significant amount of time (between 30 and 60 hours) learning about your bike (a manual like Clymer is a must) and you'll need to purchase about $200 worth of tools to troubleshoot stuff.
Restoring a bike that's been sitting for years is never an easy thing - but it can be very enjoyable.
When you're done you'll have a great bike for pennies (in comparison to today's bike prices).
See the many posts on this site about the many things you need to verify.

[Billyboy]

My GS1000 was a grain shed storage piece for 11 years before I got it.
Patience, tinkering, reading, tinkering, swearing.

You'll get it.

[bonanzadave]

Hey John, Welcome !
Nice to see another MN GSer.
If the old man has got all those bikes is there a chance he might be willing to give it a look over. He must know something about it if he had it running. Even if you had to pay him a little it may be worth it. Do you have a place to work on it ? Sounds like Id start on the carbs and get a battery and start cleaning all the electrical connections. Get some fresh oil in it too. Just by taking stuff apart and putting back togather youll learn alot. Good luck.

[Roadrash 1000]

I've been reading other posts like you said. I also have the problem of the gas running out like a pig into the carbs and air box area like many others. I cleaned the petcock so I thought but it happened again. The prime lets it flow so I stay away from that. I realize now its going to take many hours and ALOT of help. I have a heated garage, lots of tools, good friends & lots of time. I just need to be pointed in the right direction every now and then. Once I get this baby going....

[Roadrash 1000]

Hey Dave,The old man is supercool. We talk and email everyday. He lives a good hour and a half from my house. He said he could swing by on Wed. before he leaves town. I only paid $600 for the bike so I feel bad. He is really into bikes and wants to know whats wrong with it as much as I do. He said anytime I want to bring it back he'll give me a refund. Hats off to the old man.

[Roadrash 1000]

Tarbash 27 when I said I heard a click I wasn't 100% sure where it was coming from, but I knew it was by the battery. So I went on line to see what starter relay looked like.Called my buddy over and he took it out. He ran power to it said there was no clicking, nothing, junk. So good call there thanks! The part had a 6 inch wire on it. My friend said I am now 6 inches closer. So I'll take it from there, and run down a new one.

Bonanza Dave are you close to Waconia? I see you have the big 1100, nice! If all else fails can I get you over here? I have my garage set at 70 so its nice and warm. The wife could cook us some steaks and you can drink all the beer you like. And of course whatever $$$ you needed.

[bonanzadave]

Hey John,
Im in Lakeville. I cant remember the last time I was out your way. A friend of mine has an airplane out there somewhere. He actually use to own cities edge cycles in Chaska. He still wrenches on friends bikes and has helped me out plenty. Ive had the boat out there a couple times too.

If you have leaky gas problems ya gotta get those carbs gone through. Your needle valves are probably stuck open and need a real solid cleaning. Once thats done and you get a good battery Youll have a better direction on which way to go. I played with a little honda carb set all summer before I got it right. Be patient. It will pay off down the road. Dave

[chef1366]

Just because the fuses look good doesn't mean they are. Check both sides of the fuses with the ignition on and make sure power is hitting both sides.
I've personally have had fuses that didn't look shorted that were no good.
Clean the fuse holders with contact cleaner and also the solenoid. Check all connections and especially the ground on the battery and where it grounds on the motor.

[Roadrash 1000]

Alright Dave I'll get on those carbs. I'll ask a friend for some help. I know the yamaha dealer down the road charges $140 a carb. And I have 4 ouch! I called Cities Edge for the starter relay but they said it would take 3 days to order. He also said they just moved to Shakapee.I tried Sport Wheels but no answer. I'd like to get that part before the old man comes on Wed. I'll pick up some contact cleaner and get to work. I already changed the oil & plugs and threw in a new battery. Thanks to all for the help guys.

[chef1366]

You can go to sears and get a solenoid from a lawnmower. Do a search and maybe you can get a part number.

[BentRod]

If your fuel is just draining into the carbs still, you may have to replace that petcock, it may be junk. there is a vacume diafram in there that controls gas out, so either that is getting sucked way the hell open or she's stuck all together. if ya cleaned it then its probably not stuck. so I'd be looking at those carbs, as Dave said.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Home Depot would have a soloniod too, probably cheaper. Go to any lawn & Garden supply. Get someone to help you with the carbs If you are the least bit mechanical Follow the carb series info in the forum garage The main thing you need for the carbs is a set of O rings
www.motorcycleorings.com