GS 550E won't start.

[Raeldin]

Ok, very long story. It is related to this thread: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=111134. More specifically it comes after that issue.

I had replaced the carb boots. After putting everything back together, I had no electricity any where except for the neutral, and oil pressure light. I found that I had not gotten the ground wire grounded very well. Ran the ground directly to the negative battery terminal and all was well. I started the bike several times, waiting a couple hours in between. It always started right up and ran smooth. I went out later to actually ride it, pushed it down off the center stand, and it hasn't started since.

I did find a hot wire that may have grounded out when I pushed it off the center stand. Fixed that. Still nothing, replaced all the fuses. Still nothing. It cranks very well, doesn't try to start though. I have checked the plugs, re-gapped them, and I have spark. I also have noticed that there seems to be fuel on the plugs, not much, but I don't know how much there should be. Question: Would replacing the plugs make any difference? They need to be replaced, but I was hoping to figure this out first.

I did find my vacuum hose from the tank to the carbs was busted at the carbs. Fixed that. Took the petcock apart, all seemed fine. No blockage in the fuel line. I have also pulled the carbs back out and did have fuel in them, turn them upside down and fuel ran out the air vents.

Even tried ether in the airbox and it still won't try to start.

I looked in my Haynes manual and they suggest looking at the points and condenser. Pulled the cover off and I can't see them. I seem to have a sealed unit on this bike.

The wiring is very crappy, with splices everywhere. I want to wait until this winter and rewire the bike. Not sure if this is related or not.

I am at a loss as to what to even try next. I have used a multimeter and seem to be getting voltage every where.

I read in one post that there should be a blade fuse on the right side, I don't have one.

I am sure that the carb boots are sealed good and the airbox boots as well.

I am desperate, please Help!!



Thanks,

Ron

[Raeldin]

Sorry, forgot to mention the important part. 1980 GS550E.

[chef1366]

Do you have a lever type petcock or the infamous slot 80 petcock? I would try priming the float bowls. You say you have spark so try getting the fuel in there. Don't mess with old plugs. Get new ones.

[Raeldin]

One more thing: I don't have a choke on the bike. There is a ring on what I assume is the choke bar on the carbs, but no choke anywhere. Could the choke be part of the problem. I have a Haynes manual and it talks about the choke but doesn't show any pictures, so I don't know how it should be hooked up.

[Raeldin]

Chef, I have the lever type. Not sure what the slot 80 is. How can I get fuel into the float bowls? I have tried spraying ether into the fuel line, and that didn't help.

[chef1366]

See #75 on this illustration. This is the choke rod. If you don't have a choke knob coming out of the triple trees right above the center of the handlebars pull the choke rod out from the left side of the carbs. This will choke the carbs and it should start.

[Nessism]

Listen to Chef, you need to get that choke hooked up. These GS Suzuki's are jetted lean and won't light without the choke when cold.

[Raeldin]

Thanks, guys. That worked, sorta. After scoping out the choke, I was still unable to get it to start. I replaced the plugs. It did start finally after squirting some wd40 into the air box. I tried by pulling the choke out and holding it, but no luck. After it started the first time I was able to get it started again without the choke or wd40. I need to install the choke knob and cable, i don't have one at all. Anyone know where I can get one? I think I still have some learning to do on this bike and getting it started. It also seems to run rough now. It wasn't before all this. Could it be too much fuel?

My next trick will be to attempt to sync the carbs, and hopefully this will fix the rough running.

[Nessism]

Check Bike Bandit for OE parts. They should be able to hook you up with a cable.

Regarding the carbs in general, did you brake them down and clean them out properly? 25 year old carbs typically have old leaking o-rings and the only way to properly get things on stable ground is to do a complete rebuild. Check the GSR homepage for an excellent article on how to do the cleaning.

Good luck.

http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm

http://www.cycleorings.com/

[Raeldin]

Nessim, On the carbs no I did not break them down. That and replacing the wiring are on my list for this winter.

On a more successful note. After I got home tonight I went out and it started right up. Didn't choke at all. I have flooded it several times tonight when trying to start it. I think maybe rebuilding the carbs will fix that.

Thanks guys for all the help. I would have given up and let her sit for a while.