81 GS450s - lets see if she'll run after sitting for 2 years

[Planecrazy]

One of the most common electrical problems in a situation like this is a bad connection (which looks fine on visual inspection) and especially a bad ground wire.

I would strongly suggest that even if a connection looks good, disconnect it and clean every wire and contact point. Only then will you know for certain that your connections are good. It is possible for a multimeter to pick up continuity or voltage through a bad connection that isn't allowing enough current to flow in order to operate lights, etc. That's why a thorough cleaning is always a good start.

Good Luck!

Steve 8)

[Anonymous]

Ahh!! Progress! It feels so good!

I finally got most of the electrical working. Headlight, taillight, blinkers, gear indicators, high beam indicator, and brake lights are all working. I now need to figure out the starter, which I think I would have if I had not run out of light. Boy I wish I had a garage. The problem I think was a bad ground. I'm not sure, because I think I unplugged and replugged almost every connection on the bike, but the ground was the last think I messed with.

Today Lights!! Tomorrow the world!! ... ok maybe just a bike that will attempt to turn over.

[Anonymous]

She runs!! Yes that is right! My bike now starts. Sounds good too...ok good may be too strong of a word, I'll switch it with 'ok'.

New problem, yup now that she is running she doesn't want to shift worth a darn. I felt like I was going to break my toes trying to shift into second...wouldn't budge from foot power. I can use my hand and shift, but it's kinda hard to operate the clutch and reach down with my hand at the same time. So...any ideas on how to make the bike shift a bit smoother....ok 'a bit smoother' is not really going to do the job....how about A LOT smoother?

[nabrams]

Congrats!!

I've already restored 2 GS450 bikes from non-running condition to functional daily riders, so I know that great feeling when the bike runs for the first time.
Usually, howvever, it takes at least several more days/weeks to work out all the gremlins after that initial triumph (no pun intended ).
I suspect that your clutch plates are "glued" together after sitting for so long (search for other posts that discuss this).

I had a 1977 Honda XL350 that needed the following done in order for the clutch to "loosen up":
Change the oil.
Lube and re-adjust the clutch cable to spec.
Started the bike in neutral.
Pull the clutch lever all the way in.
Push the bike along to get it moving before slamming it into first gear (with the clutch lever pulled in).
Withe the clutch lever pulled in, rev the engine to 3000 RPM for a couple of minutes.

If after all that it still won't behave you may have to look into things like bad clutch plates or bent shift fork. But if the bike rode fine before you stored it then I doubt it's either of those problems.

[Anonymous]

I can hand shift the gears and all the gears seem to work once I get to them. Is there anyway to test the clutch plates or shift fork? Or are there other common symptoms of either of these problem I should look for?

Thanks!

[Dave_A]

I can hand shift the gears and all the gears seem to work once I get to them. Is there anyway to test the clutch plates or shift fork? Or are there other common symptoms of either of these problem I should look for?

Thanks!

Put the brakes on, pull in the clutch, put it in gear & rev it up (2-3k)...

If it stalls, your clutch didn't release... Take the clutch-cover off, disassemble & reassemble the clutch...

Otherwise, this will allow oil to get in there, and free up the plates...

[Anonymous]

Woohoo! She runs! She shifts! Yea!! ... ok I got her running today and shifting smothly again...everything sounds good with the engine, I haven't noticed he knocking I heard last time I had her running (she sat for 1 year, one day I got her running and moved her a few miles and there she sat for another 2 years).

Life is good. Now if I could only stop driving her illegally. I am a bad bad person. I guess I'll have to register her next week.

Thanks for all that replied. She still need alot of work (clutch push pin seal, tires, brakes) but it sure is a great feeling knowing she at least is running.