My GS550 needs help.

[skearton]

I have an 82 GS 550....

I am new to motorcycles, but have worked on ATV's etc.

My starter turns over great, I get a weak spark when grounding the plugs to the engine. the spark is irregular also (do bikes have timing adjustments) Ive traced all the fuses from front to back. Ive traced many wires for continuity, but if Im receiving spark and not enough of it.. then continuity wouldnt be my issue? my horn doesnt receive a strong signal either... may be locked up? put a new battery in it the other day.

where should look next? any advice? should i bypass the ignition and try starting it without the key?

dont forget I'm a Noob... if anything I posted is borderline retarded I apologize... I'll learn quick.

[Nessism]

Check basscliff's site and look up the coil relay mod. Sounds like your wiring harness has developed resistance. http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Another thing to do is take apart all the electrical plugs on the bike and hit them with some Detox-it spray. This stuff cuts through some of the corrosion and should improve the continunity.

Good luck.

[almarconi]

I would check the grounds and clean all your electrical connections. Sounds like your not getting enough voltage to your coils. Measure the voltage at the coils with the ignition on, should be same as battery. If less then you've got corrosion someplace. Should consider doing the coil mod, this helps get full voltage to your coils.

[skearton]

Man I love forums!.... full of geniuses.

I had 7 volts to the coil. I plan on buying the relay after work for the conversion you speak of, to get it done this week. (wish me luck!)

Could this issue be causing my horn problem as well? If i press the horn it will start to sound for half a second in a very weak manner, and make the headlights dim.

[duaneage]

I would determine where you are losing the voltage and remedy it rather than wire a relay around it.

I know everyone likes the relay mod because it provides 12 volts to the coils but it is really only a band aid on the problem.

Check the run switch on the handlebar, the coils get power from there after the ignition switch and since it is out in the breeze there is chance it can have dirt or spiders living inside.

Nothing can quickly replace a systematic cleaning of the fuse sockets, the connectors from the fuse box, the ignition switch contacts, the connectors for the coils, the connectors on the ignitor, the various ground connections, the + connections on the starter solenoid, and even the connections going to the rear tail light and blinkers.

The bike is almost 30 years young and if these items are properly cleaned and attended to it should be good for 30 more.

[Big T]

Could this issue be causing my horn problem as well? If i press the horn it will start to sound for half a second in a very weak manner, and make the headlights dim.

Probably, but you can adjust the horn with that little bolt and screw that seems to serve no purpose

[SqDancerLynn1]

Check the ign switch first look for voltage loss across the switch. My 850 had 10V on the fuse block / coils was the switch. Check all the grounds.

[skearton]

Check the ign switch first look for voltage loss across the switch. My 850 had 10V on the fuse block / coils was the switch. Check all the grounds.

you wouldnt happen to have deeper instructions for checking the ignition switch would you? placing a fuse in the jumper between the two top fuses in my panel bypasses the ignition switch right? If I did that and my coil voltage is still low then that eliminates ignition switch right?

Thanks again!

[KRISTI'SGS550]

Could this issue be causing my horn problem as well? If i press the horn it will start to sound for half a second in a very weak manner, and make the headlights dim.

Sounds like a bad battery to me. How old is the battery?

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. skearton,

Thanks for joining us. These old,...um, classic bikes need to have all the connections in the wiring harness cleaned up, from headlight bucket to tail light. In the mega-welcome you are about to receive, pay attention to the carb rebuild series, the Stator Papers, the "Top 10 Common Issues", and do all the front work necessary to continue with more advanced troubleshooting. Once all of the issues of a 25+ year old bike have been addressed, you'll have a most reliable motorcycle. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[skearton]

Sounds like a bad battery to me. How old is the battery?

my battery is new. and also checked it with tester..... 12v

[SqDancerLynn1]

The wires at the ign switch, check the voltage at both sides. It should be the same. Mine had a slight discolor to the ign switch plug. Then check Orange wire at the fuse block it should also be the same as the battery vlotage

[Suzuki_Don]

You can bypass the ignition switch by pulling the plug that goes onto the wires from the switch. Jumper the orange and red wires that go back into the loom and you should have ignition on. Then check the voltage at the coils again.

[skearton]

Got it running tonight. I'm getting 11V at the coils.... I havent done the relay mod yet. If im getting 11 is that sufficient until I have further problems? seemed to run fairly well. had to run it on choke for quite a while before it warmed up.. 6 minutes maybe?

I made a list of items I need to get as soon as my pocket will allow.

Brake shoes

Shocks (stiff ones. Im at about 275lbs.)

Is a tach pickup on a bike the same setup as a car? It hovers around 1000 constatly while the bike is running. maybe my little plastic gear is broken?

front left (driver side ) blinker housing

Chrome polish

Bike cover

petcock

Thought maybe someone would have certain vendors for certain items to recommend.

Thanks for all of your input fellas.


after a very short ride with no jacket.

Also my brake light stays on full time. just an actuator hung up somewhere?

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. skearton,

The long warm-up time is usually due to tight valve clearances. See my post above for the mega-welcome. In it you will find a most complete vendor list. On my website you will find guides which include how to adjust your valve clearances. The brake light switch should be under the right side cover. Did you download a manual from my site? Your bike looks nice! Thanks for the picture.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff