no go..

[suzukiSam]

1980 gs110x - engine hasn't spun in 9 years. I hand turned the crank after juicing up the cyls with some engine oil, and it turns fine.. (so its not seized)

Current state - gas tank removed, no battery in bike.. so i removed my truck battery, connected it to respective lead wires using jumper cables, toggle the run switch to 'on' , turn on key, and the instrument panel lights up like a christmas tree, (kewl), bike is in neutral, then I hit the start button - nothing. no sound, no whirl , no nothin.

can I attach the positive (red) cable directly to the starter wire contact, (leaving the black negative wire attached to battery lead) and expect the starter to 'spin' ? I just want to do a compression test on each cylinder, so I don't want/need the engine to combust - just compress.

[Steve]

Try it again, but pull the clutch handle, too.

There is a 'safety' switch that requires you to pull the clutch to enable the electric starter.

And when you do your compression test, don't forget to hold the throttle open so the cylinders can get all the air possible.

.

[czav]

Another thing to check is the ignition fuse and kill switch. On my 79 GS550 the kill switch can interrupt the starter circuit and the starter solinoid cicuit is fed from the ignition fuse.

[tkent02]

Yes, you can either jump power straight across the two power contacts on top of the solenoid, this bypasses the solenoid itself, and should provide power to the starter. Or touch power to the solder connection where the little trigger wire goes into the top of the solenoid to see if the solenoid will work. If it's good it will kick in and turn the starter on.

You did squeeze the clutch lever? there's a safety switch on the clutch on the '80 and newer models.

[suzukiSam]

doh - didn't apply clutch lever... is the safety switch in the clutch/gearbox, or in the handlebar mounted lever itself ? because i've removed the handle bars, and disconnected the clutch cable at the lower right engine casing.

[tkent02]

You need to plug the two bullet connectors that went to the clutch switch together, they are a male and female so it goes right together. This completes the circuit. The connectors would have been stuck inside the headlight. The switch is on the lever perch, is identical to the front brake light switch.

[TheCafeKid]

Actually, pull the headlight bucket, and the wiring for the saftey switch is in there. I cant remember which colour wires it is, maybe one of the guys knows off hand, but by pulling them apart, then plugging it into itself, you eliminate the switch. We did it on my 1100G cos i cant stand it personally.

[tkent02]

Actually, pull the headlight bucket, and the wiring for the saftey switch is in there. I cant remember which colour wires it is, maybe one of the guys knows off hand, but by pulling them apart, then plugging it into itself, you eliminate the switch. We did it on my 1100G cos i cant stand it personally.

I do it on all my bikes new enough to have this feature, seems dangerous to me to need three hands to start my motor.

[Steve]

I do it on all my bikes new enough to have this feature, seems dangerous to me to need three hands to start my motor.

I have done it to all the bikes here, but I seldom even need a second hand.
Set choke, one hand
Turn key, one hand
push button, one hand.
Same hand, different times.

Once you find the 'sweet spot' on the choke where the bike starts, you don't have to fiddle with it to keep it running.

.

[78 Four Hundred]

no go as well

Hi there I am new to the forum. I joining because my dad has a 78 GS 400 that he has been neglecting. At least ten years ago he moved it from the comfort of the garage to a sad excuse for a shed(only about 75% protected from the weather.
My dad's attitude is that he got his money's worth out of it. But I want to get it running and keep it that way.
Even to remove it from it's shelter I needed a friend because either the front or back wheel was seized. The shifter appears to be stuck in neutral with some movement, and the kick start will hardly even budge.
I don't have the space to tear the engine apart or anything. Is there anything I can do to try and get the bike from being seized? Thank you to any help .

[fenderfreek]

Take the plugs out and pour a teaspoon or so of Marvel Mystery Oil into the cylinder if you're sure the engine is seized. After leaving it a couple days, take off the small right side timing cover (marked "Suzuki" on most bikes) and try to turn the crank by hand with a ratchet or breaker bar and a 19mm socket.

Is it still stuck when you pull the clutch in? If it is, then either the clutch is not working or it is indeed frozen up and will need the oil soak.