cranking hard, getting spark, not starting

[Junkie]

ok, more updates on what it did today:

I start it up, it does so easily. I rode about 20 minutes (mostly freeway), parked for about 20 minutes. The key is out of the ignition, in my pocket, so I know I didn't leave it on. I get on, put it in N, pull the clutch, thumb the starter, and... it barely turns the engine. Nowhere near fast enough to start it. I bump it, it goes on the second try (first decent one, I tried on the way to the small hill but didn't have it going very fast). I ride around for half an hour, park. Come back 2 hours later, it starts right up. Ride around for another half hour, park. Hang out with other people for an hour and a half, when it's time to leave it starts right up.


Any clue what could've drained the battery in 20 minutes? I can't seem to find a Park mode where I could pull out the key and leave the lights on or anything. The terminals were both firmly attached to the battery.

[simon kuether]

I sometimes have a wee problem starting my 'S when it's cold.The trick is----NO throttle;FULL choke.Sometimes my starter seems to not have enough grunt.Next time I hit it it's fine????Quirks of an old girl.Cheers,Simon.:-D

[Steve]

It sounds like you have a couple of problems: starter and starting. :shock:

Your starter issue, slow cranking or not cranking, could be dirty contacts or a dirty starter.
Sometimes removing the starter and cleaning the carbon dust out of it will help.

Not starting when cold is a classic symptom of valves needing adjustment, especially the intake valves. They are too tight, which is upsetting compression, preventing the bike from starting. Check the valve clearances, make adjustments as necessary and you will be amazed how easily it starts.

Simon also mentioned the proper drill: full choke (some bikes get by with less) and NO throttle.
Twisiting the grip AT ALL will negate the effect of the enrichener system in the carbs. :shock:


.

[Junkie]

Hmm, should I be able to adjust valves without pulling anything but the gas tank (and valve cover of course)? I haven't done it yet on this bike, I've done it a couple times on car/other bikes though...

and yeah, I know choke on CV carbs depends on vacuum.

[SqDancerLynn1]

How old is the battery would be my question ??? I had a 79GS1000E years ago. After it sat for a few days I could run the starter for 5 minutes until the battery was dead & it would not start. I put a 12ha battery in to replace the 14hr oem battery & it fixed the problem. If the battery is more than two years old I would replace it

[Junkie]

I think it's something like that, the guy who I bought it from brought it back from sitting for a while and the date codes on the tires are 2-2.5 years I think - since odds are they sat in a warehouse for a bit, I'd guess right around 2 years old on the battery.

[Steve]

Hmm, should I be able to adjust valves without pulling anything but the gas tank (and valve cover of course)?

Do you have a service manual for the bike? You should. If not the Suzuki manual, either a Haynes or Clymer will work.

As far as adjusting the valves...click on this link and take a little trip to BassCliff's website and have a gander at his tutorial.
Yeah, it uses his 850 as a guinea pig, but the principle is the same for your bike.


.

[Junkie]

I've got a full manual, yeah... but it's out in the cold and dark, and I didn't feel like grabbing it.

And that's for an 850, ie an 8 valve - with shims. Mine's a GS700, 16 vales and I'm pretty sure locknuts.

[Steve]

OK, so it'll be a different procedure, but the principle is the same. Check the valves.


.

[Junkie]

It sounds like you have a couple of problems: starter and starting. :shock:

Your starter issue, slow cranking or not cranking, could be dirty contacts or a dirty starter.
Sometimes removing the starter and cleaning the carbon dust out of it will help.

Not starting when cold is a classic symptom of valves needing adjustment, especially the intake valves. They are too tight, which is upsetting compression, preventing the bike from starting. Check the valve clearances, make adjustments as necessary and you will be amazed how easily it starts.

Simon also mentioned the proper drill: full choke (some bikes get by with less) and NO throttle.
Twisiting the grip AT ALL will negate the effect of the enrichener system in the carbs. :shock:


.

you were right.

I just pulled off the valve cover and started checking the valves. I haven't checked all of them yet and haven't adjusted any, but all of the ones i have checked have been tighter than .074mm - spec is .09-.13.

[Steve]

I hate to say "I told you so", so I'll just politely say..."thanks for checking". 8-[

Also, thanks for letting us know what you found. We expect at least one more post where you say "WOW, I never heard it run so well!!!!" \\/


.

[Junkie]

Yeah, until I realzied that I don't have a 9mm wrench. I got lazy for a while and haven't finished yet, and I'm managing for now with a 9mm socket held in a pair of vicegrips, not quite ideal though.

How much does the adjustment tool cost?


Oh, and the one cam lobe actuating 2 valves thing is really weird compared to what I'm used to.

edit: err crap, I hadn't really looked hard enough. It looks like it's gonna be a bit of a PITA to adjust without the tool, I think I'll manage though.

[chef1366]

I use a 9mm socket on a 1/4 inch drive ratchet with a tiny pair of pliers. Works well enough. The tool makes it easy!
Where are you at? I'm in Bako

[Junkie]

Atascadero. Next time I feel like going for a ride out 58 (probably as soon as I get the new suspension and tires on), I'll shoot you a PM or something.


edit: you know, while it's better than shims this doesn't seem like a very good design to me. both my EX250 and my Integra have valves adjusted in the same basic way, but both of them have a rocker per valve and let you use a screwdriver to adjust it instead of whatever tool is needed for this... I mean, I can do this with my fingers or pliers but it would be nice if I could use a screwdriver. It just makes a lot more sense to me, same with 1 rocker/valve.

[chef1366]

101 to blood alley (46) would be quicker. Ride at your own risk though. :-D

Is the bike running?