Getting her to start

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone,

I just recently purchased a 1980 GS1000G and I'm trying to get it started. I've worked on all types of cars but I'm rather new to motorcycles. Presently, I'm experiencing a few problems when I try to start my bike.

Here's the rundown:

When I put the key in and turn it all the propper lights light and look ok. I then proceed to make sure the run switch is on and the clutch is in. At that point I go to hit the start button, nothing happens. No click, no dimming lights indicating a draw on the electrical system...nothing. So I'll try it again and have limited success. Starter seems to move but not with enough force to give the engine a solid crank. I'll try it again and I'll get nothing. I'll hit the horn just for fun and get (if anything) a weak tone that is hardly audible just sitting on the seat. Then I'll do it again and nothing will happen. I thought the battery might be the culprit, so I replaced that but there was no progress. I put my volt meter on the fuse box and everything seemed normal.

Before I go nuts looking all over the place and taking apart starter switches and wire connections, is there any specific area or part I should narrow my search to? I'm hoping to work more on it this weekend, but it's rather cold in PA this time of year and my garage isn't all that well insulated, thus the less time I spend on the problem the less I'll have to fight with old man winter.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to this site but I've gained so much from it already.

Thanks Everyone!
-Dave

[Anonymous]

Dave,
First check your ground wire from the battery to the engine. Make sure the connections are clean and tight. If that's okay, check the wire from battery positive to stater solenoid. Again, everything should be clean and tight. Next I would put a jumper from battery positive to the selonoid trigger. This is the small yellow wire with a green stripe. If the solenoid clicks then it should be fine. If not, replace it.
If all is good there, remove the cover from the starter. You'll see the power wire bolted to the starter. Check this connection. Also check the starter mounting bolts, this is where the starter is grounded. If the connections are good and the solenoid works then replace the starter.

Steve

[Anonymous]

please give some more info like was the bike sitting and for how long, did you observe all of your wire bundles to make sure no animal or human has chewed on them, are you sure you bought the correct battery or just the same number that was in there already. I'm not trying to belittle you just that sometimes we forget the basics. ( I speak from experience )

[argonsagas]

Wheelie has it right: you have a lousy ground. No question at all.


The horn switch/circuit does not carry live/positive current. The horns are live all the time (if the ignition is ON) and the switch grounds them.

With a poor ground you cannot get a decent amperage draw, so your starter is helpless, as it needs more amperage than the rest of the circuits combined.

First clean all contacts. Then install a separate wire from the negative terminal on your battery to the frame and/or engine. It there is already one there, scrap it and put in a new one, preferably using a heavier gauge wire. Additionally, it would not be a bad idea to run a wire from the negative terminal to the regulator/rectifier, to ensure the longest life from that device.

[Anonymous]

You are getting some good advice here and what to start looking for. Because of the age of these bikes you can expect that most connectors and connections need to be cleaned. Switches also deteriorate with age and weather. If a solution doesn't present itself quickly, bench test the starter. They to get dirty, brushes get worn, and some bite the big one. If it checks out OK then it's the usual culprit, the wiring, connectors and switches.

[Anonymous]

One easy way to spot a bad connection is the fact that everything around it is melted. This happens with the Regulator/Rectifiier very frequently.

Steve

[Anonymous]

It Lives!!!!

Hey everyone,

First off, thanks for all the replies.

I got the bike running, but of course, with any triumph comes a tale:

My friend Jeff and I began to work on the bike earlier this morning, even though the mercury topped out at a balmy 15 degrees F. We plopped the freshly charged battery in and started to experiement. The first thing my frend said to me was "Is the battery ok?". We pulled the battery, and my limited knowledge in motorcycles rears its ugly head. I didn't put nearly enough acid in the battery I had picked up (can you blame me? I live in a maitenence-free world) and that caused the battery to not put out enough juice. After we topped up the acid and put it back in the bike, we seemed to have a lot more power, but we still were having trouble with the starter button. A quick trace of the wires and we managed to find the solenoid and bump it with a screwdriver. Once that worked we knew the contacts in the start button were corroded and needed to be cleaned. 10 minutes later, we were good to go.

Now, I found my '80 GS1000G on the side of the road on a cold day a few months ago on my way home to Philadelphia from RI. The guy got the bike from a friend and had never driven it. He just wanted it gone. He said that it had probably been sitting for about 2 years in a garage. I was hesitant, but the price was right: $250.00. So here I am in a garage in 15 degree weather with a bike that hasn't been started in 2 (maybe more) years. What do you think the chances of this thing firing over are? We put new spark plugs in, changed the gas in the tank (added an inline filter too), added some oil, changed the plugs, put some engine starter in the carbs, put the choke on, and said a prayer.

Lo and behold: she turned right over and roared to life! Thus, my $250 gamble has paid off. I can't wait to tune her and clean her up for the spring. Again, thanks for all the help. I'll be sure to post the link to my website as soon as I get the pictures up, and keep you all updated.

Thanks!

-Dave

"Just remember: You are unique. Just like everyone else." - Unknown

[bgmart450]

Nice..... 250 for a 1000. Our "new" 1980 450S had that same exact issue with the starter-button. After having to jump the solenoid it was actually pretty nice to have the button working. Plus trying to hold the clutch in and jump it then hit the gas fast enough to keep it from choking on the first crank when you are alone is quite a task.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Glad to hear she's running! Have fun!

[Anonymous]

keep up the good work and we'll see you on the road in the spring

[nabrams]

It's like one of those wish-come-true stories - man, you are one lucky dog!!!!