GS Won't start!

[RevRoy]

Hello all,
Today I rode my GS550 for about an hour on some errands. When I got home, I set it in Neutral, then placed it on the sidestand to open my garage door. I then got on the bike, pulled the clutch, raised the sidestand and kicked it into first gear. The engine immediately died and would not restart. I let it sit for about 45 minutes, and it still will not start.

It has been running fine up until this, and I need it to get to work. Any help on where to start will be appreciated.

FYI: It has almost a full tank of gas, the spark plugs are, maybe, 2,500 miles old. Battery holds a charge well, and the alernator works well.

Thanks to all ...

[Schweisshund]

Do the spark plug leads get spark? Is it making a noise when you try to crank it?

[nabrams]

We need more detail:
1. Do any of the lights come on when the key is in the "On" position?
2. Does the starter turn the engine over?
3. Have you VISUALLY verified spark on all plugs?
4. If you answer "no" to 1 & 2, have you replaced the fuse? - A fuse may look good when in fact it is bad.

The above questions should set you on a path of investigation that will find the problem.

[Schweisshund]

check your fuses too. Make sure they are all good - especially the ignition fuse - should be a 15 amp blade fuse under the right side cover.

[RevRoy]

Starts but won't stay idling

Okay, people, I finally got it started, but it was a struggle. I had to coax it by twisting the throttle and holding my tongue just right. I let it warm up for five minutes, then released the throttle. It idled for about four minutes and, just when I thought it was going to be its old self, it died again. Won't start, again. Seems as if it might be flooding?

I verified spark, etc, the first time. I know it's got to be either spark, fuel (or maybe too much fuel).

Problem is, if I have to keep this up it runs down the battery. Besides, something's gone wrong in the past 24 hours. Up until today, all I've ever had to do is turn the key, pull in the clutch and hit the start button and it fired right up.

I'll keep checking things but if anyone has ideas, they're most welcome.

Thanks again,

[slugsride]

From your first post I would have suggested a bad clutch or sidestand switch. Did it seem to cut off as a result of putting it in gear, or did it slowly die?
From your second post that sounds like flooding as you said, could it be drawing fuel form the petcock vacuum line? Maybe try putting a clear line there (saw that trick on another post- not my idea:-D). Good luck!

[RevRoy]

Maybe that's it ... flooding

From my first post, when I pressed it into first gear it died instantly, as if I'd pushed the kill switch. It is starting normaly now :-D, but I smell gasoline when I shut it off. By a "clear line," are you suggesting a new gas line to or from the petcock?

Thanks,

[MelodicMetalGod]

From my first post, when I pressed it into first gear it died instantly, as if I'd pushed the kill switch. It is starting normaly now :-D, but I smell gasoline when I shut it off. By a "clear line," are you suggesting a new gas line to or from the petcock?

Thanks,

I believe the suggestion is to replace the original vacuum hose from the carb vacuum port to the petcock vacuum port. With a clear hose you could see if fuel was in the vacuum line (which it shouldn't be).

[MelodicMetalGod]

What specific bike do you have? (Suggestion: Put the specific year and model in your signature line).

I'm no expert to be sure, but given the suddeness of the onset of the problem and the fact that you were able to start, ride and idle OK only to have the bike die when you put load on the engine (shifted into first), it sounds to me like a fuel delivery issue. That would be supported by the fact that you are finding no evidence of electrical issues and are getting spark OK.

If you are flooding, it could be, as has been suggested already, that it's happening via the vacuum line from the petcock. I'm not sure, but this may also close the petcock on the fuel line side (the vacuum line side is what opens the fuel line side when the engine is running).

Like others here, I think more detail will allow folks to give a better advice.

Best of luck!

[RevRoy]

The bike

I just went out to the garage, and the bike started. Oh, well. It may have something to do with the heat (92+) which maybe making a vapor lock situation. Anyway, I will try the clear line on the petcock and see what happens. I am a bit suspicious about a fuel delivery problem, such as vapor lock, etc, since it seems to not start when it is warm; I let it cool down and it starts just fine.

As always, you are all magnificent in your assistance. Thank you. I will post something to let everyone know the resolution.

I willl go ahead and take it to work tomorrow, as usual. Problem is, I have a hard time trusting it now. But this too shall pass.

Thanks again,

PS: BTW, this is a 1980 GS 550. It has 23,558 miles and rising. I have owned it a bit more than 3 months, and I have put a bit more than 1,500 miles on it. I usually ride 48 miles per day back and forth to work, and I am averaging 52 mpg on mid-level gasoline (with a couple ounces of Marvel's Mystery Oil in the tank at each fill-up). I just changed the oil and filter and used valvoline 20W50 for motorcycles.

[harry69koi]

Remove the gas cap and see if she will start m8ty [-o< Might be getting ressure issue`s within the tank due to the high heat you mentioned?

[MelodicMetalGod]

I just went out to the garage, and the bike started. Oh, well. It may have something to do with the heat (92+) which maybe making a vapor lock situation. Anyway, I will try the clear line on the petcock and see what happens. I am a bit suspicious about a fuel delivery problem, such as vapor lock, etc, since it seems to not start when it is warm; I let it cool down and it starts just fine.

As always, you are all magnificent in your assistance. Thank you. I will post something to let everyone know the resolution.

I willl go ahead and take it to work tomorrow, as usual. Problem is, I have a hard time trusting it now. But this too shall pass.

Thanks again,

PS: BTW, this is a 1980 GS 550. It has 23,558 miles and rising. I have owned it a bit more than 3 months, and I have put a bit more than 1,500 miles on it. I usually ride 48 miles per day back and forth to work, and I am averaging 52 mpg on mid-level gasoline (with a couple ounces of Marvel's Mystery Oil in the tank at each fill-up). I just changed the oil and filter and used valvoline 20W50 for motorcycles.

FWIW, I've seen other GS-ers, whom are more experienced than I, in these forums say that true "vapor lock" isn't possible in gravity fed fuel systems (can't remember the technical argument).

So your bike is a 1980 GS550. What type? GS550L or GS550E?

Good luck on your ride to work tomorrow. I look forward to reading about the resolution when it's determined.

[slugsride]

I believe the suggestion is to replace the original vacuum hose from the carb vacuum port to the petcock vacuum port. With a clear hose you could see if fuel was in the vacuum line (which it shouldn't be).

Was off-line when you replied. That was exactly what I meant. If you try this and see fuel you should replace the petcock. Since this is your work transport, while you wait for the parts (get the gasket or o-ring where it mounts to the tank too) you could set it up to use as a manual petcock. Plug the petcock vacuum line BOTH at the carb and the petcock. Prime will then be "on" and the on and res position will be "off".

[twistedwankel]

ether has it's place

[quote=RevRoy;673627]I just went out to the garage, and the bike started. Oh, well. It may have something to do with the heat (92+) which maybe making a vapor lock situation. Anyway, I will try the clear line on the petcock and see what happens. I am a bit suspicious about a fuel delivery problem, such as vapor lock, etc, since it seems to not start when it is warm; I let it cool down and it starts just fine.

For what it's worth. I have had no problem here in FL at any temp starting the GS750 '81 until today. It sat for 5 days in the garage because of rain and when I went to start it today with a fully charged batt and all systems go....it flat wouldn't fire at all. Didn't matter if the choke was used or not. Even tried to use the prime setting to no avail. Gave it a small shot of starting fluid and it took right off.

Must be some evaporation issue going on in the carb bowls? It ran fine and started repeatedly after that all day long even at 96F. I think ether is the best friend of man.

[RevRoy]

It's Back as Normal Now

Well, people, I've been busy and today I finally got around to deciding that I was going to fix this bike. I had tried everything exept the simple things, and the problem turned out to be something simple. I noticed that with jumper cables it started right up - without jumpers it was almost impossible to start (it would just crank slowly until the battery ran down). So I had been jump-starting it for short trips only because I did not trust it and I was afraid I'd get stranded. Each time I jumped it, once I got it warmed up it seemed a bit more sluggish in terms of acceleration, smooth idle, etc. It was beginning to seem more like a low-amp problem rather than a fuel delivery problem.

Sure enough, the battery was very low on charge, even after riding long enough for the alternator to charge it up. I was afraid my alternator was going, or was gone. I checked everything I could, and found that the problem was the battery cable!

Way down where the cable connects to the regulator (or starter selenoid?) I found that the rubber housing had split. Not only that, there was only ONE STRAND of the original 10 gauge stranded cable still connected. When I wiggled it to check the connection, it broke off. I suppose it had vibrated long enough to have one-by-one broken all the strands except one.

I replaced my battery cables, started the bike right up and took it for a long ride, and it's as good as new. I surmise that the battery was not getting charged due to the damaged cable, and the ensuing low-amp state was making it hard to start (not enough amps for a good spark) and providing a sluggish ride.

It not only starts with a touch of the starter button and no choke, it runs great. \\/ Thanks for all your help. I just wanted everyone to know I considered or tried every suggestion, and I appreciate the help.