Trouble starting

[00z28]

Hello all. I have an 82GS1100GK that I try to start and run every week. The weather in the part of Tn is so crazy that you might be able to ride any day of the week. I tried to start my bike yesturday and was unable to. The battery is charged, I have lights and horn. But I have been unable to start, or even hear a clicking noise. I read in another post to bypass the starter relay to see if it is the problem, but I don't know how. I have located the wire from the battery and the wire that I assume runs to the starter. I have also located the small yellow/green wire. Any help would bee appreciated. Lastly I have been having trouble with the stop, run switch on the right hand control. Sometimes I have to move the switch both directions several times to get the bike to start, but this didn't help this time. I assume I have some corrosion on the switch.

[Larry D]

Sounds to me like the problem lies within your switch. The bike won't do anything if the switch is "stuck" in the off position.

Did you get the luggage installed and find a fairing ? I'd love to see some pics. I really like the 1100GK. I'm gonna get me one...someday.

I'd also suggest going to the user cp tab (upper left of the page) and edit your signature, enter your location, etc......

[00z28]

I've gotten the luggage bracket on, but haven't gotten the luggage painted yet. I have been hesitant to open the right hand controls because, untill recently, the bike would fire. I always assumed that if I opened the switch that everything would fall apart in my hands (Murphy and I go way back), but I guess that will be one of my next steps.

[chef1366]

Check the clutch safety switch.

[Steve]

When you "start and run" your bike every week, do you actually take it out and ride it?

Just starting it and running it for a while could be the worst thing to do to it while it is in storage.

Just starting it and running it for a while does not get all the operating parts up to proper temperatures, and might get some parts over operating temps due to lack of airflow. You also don't get a good chance to allow the battery to charge back up from the discharge of starting the bike.

Do you have a test light? That or a meter could be a big help right now. Find the starter solenoid (relay) under the left side panel, next to the battery box. It's round on the bottom, square on top, and has two large wires attached to the square end. One wire will be hot all the time as it is connected directly to the battery, the other large wire goes to the starter. If you use a screwdriver to short these two together (nice spark show ), the starter should spin. The engine won't start unless the key is on, but the starter should spin. There is also a smaller wire at that end of the solenoid. That is the one that comes from the starter button. When you press the START button, that wire should be activated (verify with your light or meter). The key will have to be ON, the clutch lever pulled, the START/RUN switch in the ON position, and the START button pushed for that wire to be live. If it does not come on, follow the signal path back to see where it gets lost. You can also start at the other end by verifying that your third fuse is good.

This picture is from an '82 850L, but won't be a whole lot different from your bike. The solenoid is the brassy-looking can with the black square with the wires on top.
Your wiring will look different, as this is where I have taken power for other accessories, rather than from the battery.