Serious problems with the electrical start on a 1980 GS550E

[valentin]

Hi there:

I have a 1980 GS 550 E (in USA is the L model, the custom).

My bike runs great, but the problem is the start: if I don't run the bike for more than 2 days, the bike lose all the battery power and don't want to start, so I have to push it (don't have the kick start, only the electrical start). I love my bike, when she decides to start, she runs great, but I need a solution before I decided to sell it.

I'm from Chile, so you have to excuse my english...

Regards.
Valentin Magallanes H.
vmagallanes@mi.cl

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the forum Valentin!


If there's nothing on the bike that draws current (like an alarm), my first guess would be a bad battery. Check the fluid level in the battery cells.
Try disconnecting it for a day or two and check if the battery still loses its power.
If it does, replace it. If not, you might have a problem with your regulator/rectifier.

[satchmo]

Bienvenidos,

no debes vender su moto.

I repeat, don't sell it, at least not because of this.

I had the same problem on my 550 and it was simply a matter of changing the battery.

Follow Harry's (JOJO) advice and you should be fine.

Satch

[KEITH KRAUSE]

At least check the battery level and add distilled water if needed. Also, take off the positive and negative battery leads and wire brush/clean the posts and cable ends. Make sure they are tight. If the battery is just too old, replace it. Good chance you will be OK. An old battery is no reason to sell the bike.

[Hoomgar]

Welcome to the forum Valentin!


If there's nothing on the bike that draws current (like an alarm), my first guess would be a bad battery. Check the fluid level in the battery cells.
Try disconnecting it for a day or two and check if the battery still loses its power.
If it does, replace it. If not, you might have a problem with your regulator/rectifier.

Excellent advice!

I love your avatar jojo

[Anonymous]

Good advice.
Welcome, Valentin. The 550E & 550L were two different models, The E was the standard & the 'L' was the 'Low-Rider' (custom), both available in the U.S. (or at least in Canada). Did you not have both models available in Chile? I have no idea about the bike scene down there.