starting a bike without a starter motor?

[Strat]

Is it possible to push a bike up to speed and ease off the clutch to start it without a starter motor in it? I have a GS750E...

[earlfor]

If it runs well and normally starts easily, then push starting it is no problem at all and not really any different than kick starting. However, if the bike is one of those crank and crank and crank, sputter, crank crank, sputter etc., you can forget push starting it unless youre in good enough shape to run five miles while pushing a 550 lb sled. LOL

Earl

Is it possible to push a bike up to speed and ease off the clutch to start it without a starter motor in it? I have a GS750E...

[KiwiGS]

Yes.
Put it in 2nd gear with the clucth in push the bike.
When The bike is up to speed jump/bump on the seat side saddle. As you bump let the clucth out. When/if the bike starts pull the clucth in. Then get on and go.
Cheers

[Strat]

This bike has sat in a garage for 5 years and has bad seals and wireing problems... That is why I asked, I have stated mopeds in this way and have seen it done on 2 stroke dirt bikes but never on a motorcycle in this kind of shape. BTW does anyone happen to have a starter motor that may fit a 83 GS750E? I would gladly pay 60 bucks plus Shiping and handeling...

[Steve]

If the bike has sat that long, don't expect to get it to run without some major cleaning and sealing work.
Even then, it will be a bit of a chore, even with the benefit of an electric starter.

.

[chef1366]

Fix it, get a starter and then start it.

[TheCafeKid]

Of course we all know that REAL bikes have kickstarters :shock: (kidding guys, only kidding)

[Steve]

Of course we all know that REAL bikes have kickstarters :shock: (kidding guys, only kidding)

Yeah, and just what did we connect to your kick-start cafe bike? :shock:

And for the rest of you, just remember that just because it has a kick-starter does not mean you have to use it. [-(

.

[TheCafeKid]

Yeah, and just what did we connect to your kick-start cafe bike? :shock:

.

Sure sure, but it DID start with HOW MANY kicks?? Hrmmm?

[Steve]

One. 8-[

.

[TheCafeKid]

Hehe. We wont mention the fact that its likely starting that quick cos its a bit rich. But I still think when propperly tuned, it will start just as quick. *I HOPE*

[doctorgonzo]

Of course we all know that REAL bikes have kickstarters :shock: (kidding guys, only kidding)

I wish mine had one (in addition to the electric start) My old Honda did, and it has it's moments of usefulness for sure.

[lurch12_2000]

Of course we all know that REAL bikes have kickstarters :shock: (kidding guys, only kidding)

Exactly why I feel this urge to paint a picture of a kick starter on the side of my bike:shock:

[BassCliff]

Hee Haw Howdy!

H Mr. Strat,

I don't believe I've given you your very own mega-welcome! \\/

It's full of nifty information to help you get your motorcycle running again.

Let it be known that on this day you are cordially and formally welcomed to the GSR Forum as a Junior Member in good standing with all the rights and privileges thereof. Further let it be known that your good standing can be improved with pictures (not you, your bike)!

Perhaps you've already seen these, but I like to remind all the new members. In addition to the carb rebuild series, I recommend visiting the In The Garage section via the GSR Homepage and check out the Stator Papers. There's also a lot of great information in the Old Q&A section. I have some documentation on my little BikeCliff website to help get you familiar with doing routine maintenance tasks (note that it is 850G-specific but many tasks are common to all GS bikes). Other "user contributed" informational sites include those of Mr. bwringer, Mr. tfb and Mr. robertbarr. And if your bike uses shims for valve adjustments, send an email to Mr. Steve requesting a copy of his Excel spreadsheet that helps you keep track of clearances, shim sizes and other service work.

These are some edited quotes from one of our dear beloved gurus, Mr. bwringer, with ideas on basic needs (depending on initial condition), parts, and accessories.
***********Quoted from Mr. bwringer************
Carburetor maintenance:

Replace the intake boot o-rings, and possibly the intake boots. Here's the procedure:

http://bwringer.com/gs/intakeorings.html

Here's an overview of what happens with this particular problem:

http://cycleorings.com/intake.html

You'll also want to examine the boots between the carbs and the airbox. There's a good chance these are OK, but check them over.
And finally, if things still aren't exactly right, you'll want to order a set of o-rings for BS carbs from the GS owner's best friend, Robert Barr:
http://cycleorings.com
Once you receive these rare rings of delight, then you'll want to thoroughly clean and rebuild your carburetors. Here are step-by-step instructions that make this simple:

http://thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm

***********************************
Every GS850 has (or had) a set of well-known issues that MUST be addressed before you have a solid baseline for further troubleshooting. It's a vintage bike, and it's quite common (as in, every single GS850 I have had contact with) that there are multiple problems that have crept up and slowly gotten worse over the years. It's not like a newer vehicle, where there's generally one problem at a time.

These common issues are:

1. Intake O-rings (install NEW OEM or Viton only - common nitrile O-rings will quickly deteriorate from heat)
2. Intake Boots (install NEW -- these cannot be repaired)
3. Valve clearances (more important than most people think)
4. Carb/airbox boots
5. Airbox sealing
6. Air filter sealing
7. Petcock (install a NEW one)
8. On '79 models, install new points or Dyna electronic ignition (or at least verify that the old points are working correctly)
9. On all models, it's fairly common to have problems with the spark plug caps. These are $3 or $4 each, and often worth replacing if you're keeping the stock coils/wires.
10. Stock exhaust with NO leaks or holes -- good seals at the head and at the junctions underneath.
***************************************
OEM Parts/Online Fiches:

I would definitely double and triple the recommendations to use Cycle Recycle II and Z1 Enterprises as much as possible. These guys are priceless resources. Z1 tends to have slightly better prices, CRC2 has a wider range of goodies available. If you're near Indy and can bring in an old part to match, CRC2 has a vast inventory of used parts.
http://denniskirk.com - Put in your bike model and see what they have.
http://oldbikebarn.com - seems to be slowly regaining a decent reputation, but it's still caveat emptor. They don't have anything you can't get elsewhere at a better price anyway.
http://www.babbittsonline.com/ - Decent parts prices. Spendy shipping. Don't give you part numbers at all. Useful cross-reference if you obtain a part number elsewhere. Efficient service.
http://bikebandit.com - Fastest. Middlin' prices. Uses their own parts numbering system to obfuscate price comparisons -- can be very confusing for large orders. Cheapest shipping, so total cost usually isn't too bad.
http://flatoutmotorcycles.com - Slow. Cheapest parts prices, crazy shipping costs. Don't expect progress updates or much communication. Real Suzuki part numbers.
http://alpha-sports.com - Exorbitant parts prices. Different type of fiche interface that's quite useful at times, especially with superceded part numbers. Real parts numbers. Shipping cost and speed unknown due to insane, unholy pricing.

Stainless Bolts, Viton o-rings, metric taps, dies, assorted hard-to-find supplies and materials, etc:

http://mcmaster.com - Fast, cheap shipping, good prices. No order minimum, but many items like bolts come in packs of 25 or 50. Excellent resource.
http://motorcycleseatcovers.com - Great quality, perfect fit (on original seat foam), and available for pretty much every bike ever made. Avoid the textured vinyl -- it's perforated.
http://newenough.com - You DO have riding gear, don't you? Great clearances, always outstanding prices and impeccable service.
***************End Quote**********************
Additional parts/info links:

GSR Forum member Mr. duaneage has great used upgraded Honda regulator/rectifiers for our bikes. Send him a PM.
New electrical parts:
http://stores.ebay.com/RMSTATOR or http://www.rmstator.com/

http://www.ricksmotorsportelectrics.com/index.php

http://www.electrosport.com/

For valve cover and breather cover gaskets, I recommend Real Gaskets (reusable silicon):
http://www.realgaskets.com
The Rice Paddy (salvage/used)
http://www.ricepaddymotorcycles.com
Carolina Cycle
http://www.carolinacycle.com
Ron Ayers Motorsports
http://www.ronayers.com
MR Cycles
http://www.mrcycles.com
Moto Grid
http://www.motogrid.com
If all else fails, try this:
http://www.used-motorcycle-parts.org/
Used bike buying checklists:

http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/Riderresc/checklist.asp

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html
Lots of good info/pictures here:
http://www.suzukicycles.org

http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Motorcycle_Wiki

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed of your progress. There's lots of good folk with good experience here.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
(The unofficial GSR greeter)

[Strat]

WOW! This is some good information! I did not know I had this many parts available to order. Thank you BassCliff!