confused...won't start

[hansimusmaximus]

the bike is a 1980 gs850l. it ran great when i picked it up about two months ago. it hasn't been run in that two months now it won't start. i just put a new petcock in today and tried to start it and i get nothing, not even a sputter. the airbox is sealed, it's getting good spark, float bowls had gas when i checked them. i did a lazy man's carb clean (took the carbs off and soaked the heck out of them with carb cleaner, they were already clean anyways). i don't know what's left. any help would be appreciated!!!

[bonanzadave]

not even a sputter.

Is it cranking ? Kill switch ? Clutch pulled in ?

[hansimusmaximus]

yup, it's cranking. the battery is less than a year old. kill switch set to RUN

[chuck hahn]

I have a problem priodically with the kill switch on my 78 750. I will have to flip it back and forth sometimes to get it unstuck..just wants to stick sometimes. Also on both my 77 and the 78 if they sit a while i have to choke the hell out of them. Full choke and just keep cranking till they start. sometimes takes a good 30 seconds or so of solid cranking to get them to start. Dont know why but thats just how they have always been.. Hope my experience is of some value.

[hansimusmaximus]

do you think the gas could be bad? the gas is about 2-3 months old but i didn't think it would be long enough to go bad...i could be wrong.

[chuck hahn]

well it certainly doesnt help things...if your gonna store it or not ride it for an extended time i feel you should at least add a few caps full of STABIL and run it for a few minutes to get it throughout the entire system. I dont believe in DRAINING the tank and carbs as i hear others preach. My reasoning is this..If the tank is full and doesnt have room for condensation then you wont have a rusted tank in the spring. Gas being a petroleum product protects from oxidation..to a point.

[Larry D]

Set your petcock to prime and leave it for 5 solid minutes. Make sure the vacuum line is attached. Also, that the choke cable is functioning. Do you have a fully charged battery ?

[chuck hahn]

Larry.. Why do you think i have the hard start problem with mine?? I started them all this past sunday. If i let them sit till next weekend they will do the same. So are you saying that even though they had ran a week ago i should use the prime and see if that makes them start easier?? Sorry to my fellow member here..not intending to hijack your thread here...Larry PM me...

[hansimusmaximus]

put new gas in, same thing. i pulled the spark plugs and they are all dry. how could the bike be running well two months ago and now it won't even get gas to the cylinders? any help would be appreciated!!

[Steve]

... how could the bike be running well two months ago and now it won't even get gas to the cylinders?

I think you answered your own question.

... i did a lazy man's carb clean (took the carbs off and soaked the heck out of them with carb cleaner,

How many times have you seen it preached on the board? THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS WHEN CLEANING THE CARBS.

Set your petcock to prime and leave it for 5 solid minutes. Make sure the vacuum line is attached. Also, that the choke cable is functioning. Do you have a fully charged battery ?

Most of these are valid points, but why prime for 5 minutes? If it takes more than 30 seconds to fill the float bowls, you have other problems.

Larry.. Why do you think i have the hard start problem with mine?? I started them all this past sunday. If i let them sit till next weekend they will do the same. So are you saying that even though they had ran a week ago i should use the prime and see if that makes them start easier?? Sorry to my fellow member here..not intending to hijack your thread here...Larry PM me...

Here, I'll at least post the hijack notification.
Chuck, when you start all your bikes, do you take them all out for a ride? If not, you are doing them more harm than good by starting them like that. They don't get warm enough to get rid of condensation in the crankcase and exhaust system, leading to problems later. You will be better off just stabilizing the gas in the (full) tank, putting a battery tender on it and covering it with a breathable cloth (if it's stored inside).

As far as hard starting problems, one of the most-common causes of hard starting when cold is ... are you ready? ... improper valve adjustment. Second most common? Dirty carbs.

.

[Larry D]

My statement about leaving the petcock on prime for 5 minutes is to ensure that you're leaving it there long enough........1 minute, 30 seconds, 2 minutes....whatever. The point is, you have to give it some time to fill up the bowls.