kill switch and starter button question

[Kendall]

I have an 82 gs650sl. I fired it up a few weeks ago after a little charge was added to the battery. Went for just a little ride and parked it. Every 2-3 days I start it up and let it idle for a little while before shutting it down. Well I went out to fire it up and after turning the key on I pushed the button and nothing happens. Lights all came on, turn signals work etc. I've got the clutch pulled and everything is how it should be. Seems the button isn't making contact. I took it apart and all appears fine. The connections were all fine in the headlight bucket also. I'm new to owning a bike so I need some help. Thanks Kendall

[tlepac]

I had some similar problems with my 750 L and I would advise that you take it step by step:
1. Measure your voltage at the Battery and ensure this is OK
2. Find the wires for the stareter circuit---you probably need a manual for this to id the starting circuit. Unless BassCliff happens to have the diagram on his website. BTW it is always a good idea to go there and read everything you can on his site re Electrical problems and the diagnosing of them.
3. Once you have a clear picture of the starting circuit and the wiring involved then start testing with a circuit tester til you have isolated the offending wire/commection/ ground

Good Luck!

Terry

WBL, MN

[chef1366]

Are you pulling in the clutch?

[bonanzadave]

Are you pulling in the clutch?

Well I went out to fire it up and after turning the key on I pushed the button and nothing happens. Lights all came on, turn signals work etc. I've got the clutch pulled and everything is how it should be. Seems the button isn't making contact.

Now tell him how to clean the contacts at the clutch lever.

[chef1366]

Now tell him how to clean the contacts at the clutch lever.

No you, I've said enough.

[bonanzadave]

No you, I've said enough.

"The clutch lever switch and brake light switch on the brake lever work the same, a copper "u" with a spring in it slide across 2 copper contacts on a board. They become dirty over time and make poor contact. You can take it apart and shine up the"u" and contacts on the board with some steel wool and use some dielectric grease on them and just put them back together and they should work fine. If the spring gets lost of is rusted away you can use a spring from an old ball point pen just cut it to length.
Good luck. "

[tlepac]

I did that and it still didn't work so I just bypassed it at the headlight. Guess I will have to remember to have the clutch lever in when I start the thing up!!

Terry
WBL, MN

[bonanzadave]

Terry
WBL, MN

Where is WBL, MN ?

[tlepac]

White Bear Lake, MN

[bonanzadave]

Oh Duh. Thats where Rick is from. He was looking for some GSers last weekend....

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=142440

[Steve]

Every 2-3 days I start it up and let it idle for a little while before shutting it down.

Please, ... , have mercy on the bike.

If you are not going to get on it and ride for at least 20 minutes to get it up to full operating temperature, don't even start the bike.

In just a few minutes of running, you are not likely to recharge the battery to make up for what the starter took out of it, but the worst part is that you will be putting a LOT of moisture in the oil and the mufflers, then not getting it hot enough to get rid of it. That will destroy the oil in no time at all, and will rust the mufflers from the inside out.

.

[Kendall]

Please, ... , have mercy on the bike.

If you are not going to get on it and ride for at least 20 minutes to get it up to full operating temperature, don't even start the bike.

In just a few minutes of running, you are not likely to recharge the battery to make up for what the starter took out of it, but the worst part is that you will be putting a LOT of moisture in the oil and the mufflers, then not getting it hot enough to get rid of it. That will destroy the oil in no time at all, and will rust the mufflers from the inside out.

.

I say for a few minutes, I always check the temp on the exhaust pipes to see how close to even they are to make sure its not running too rich or too lean at each carb. Typically 185-200 degrees so I think I'm letting it get warm enough to keep moisture out. As for getting it out to ride much I don't because as of now I only have my learners permit. I know 39 yrs old and a learners permit. Heard and seen how the driving test are here in Lincoln and its really tough to pass and heard of people laying there bike over just doing the test. I will take it in the next couple weeks though.

As for the pointers given on getting it started I'm going to look into them. Thanks again Kendall

[tlepac]

I took my test in Colorado and a bunch of us who had big bikes borrowed the smaller bikes to take the test on. Much easier and we all passed. That is one endorsement I am not letting go of until I hit 85!!

[Kendall]

Contact at the clutch safety switch wasn't good. She's alive now

[Hammered]

I have a question along these lines. Would a shot of contact cleaner do the trickl for cleaning these switch connections? I use the stuff all the time at the shop I was working at when repairing the switch on a chopsaw that got covered in chop dust. WOuld this work?