Having Trouble Starting My Bike

[crezydave]

So the bike is in storage for the winter   . i went yesterday to give it a start up so it can warm up. (didn't Start it for a month) the battery still works the lights are still working. but when i try to start up all  i get is a clicking noise in the battery. Why doesn't my bike start up? i really need help i want to get it started up. Thanks Dave

[Admiral Crunch]

Sounds like a dead battery to me.  There's probably just enough juice left for the lights but not the starter.  Do you have jumper cables?  Hook your battery to a car battery and see if it starts then.  (Don't have the car running.)

[Mickey_D100]

That would be my guess as well.  I had a similar problem after I got the bike, and after a bit of time on the battery tender it fired right up.

[Phaedrus]

Yeah the battery is prolly dead. Why didn't you pull it for winter and follow the winter storage procedures? Unless you are going to ride it, starting it up will actually harm it because it will vreate condensation in the engine and that will eventually lead to rust and gumming stuff up. You don't want that! Check out the GS 500 FAQ, there is a question/answer about proper winter storage procedures (as does your manual!).

What part of new york are you in anyway? I'm around Binghamton.  

[crezydave]

Thanks guyz i am gunna try to start it up with the jumper cables hopfully it works. so if i dont want to take off the battery is it ok that i start my bike up at least once a week? will that help or no?

I am at Rockland County like 30 minutes from NYC Pretty far from where you are

[Phaedrus]

Thanks guyz i am gunna try to start it up with the jumper cables hopfully it works. so if i dont want to take off the battery is it ok that i start my bike up at least once a week? will that help or no?

With it help what? Keeping the battery charged? Probably, but I don't see any real advantage here. For one, you will be creating condensation in the oil (weakening it) and cold starts are hard on the bike, especially if it is just going to sit there and idle for long periods of time. Air cooled engines are not happy about idling for long periods. And the oil takes time to circulate through the engine to properly lube it.

Are you planning on RIDING it? If yes, then yeah give it proper warm ups and take it out for a spin every week. Otherwise, if you aren't going to ride it for like 2 months, then I'd do the proper winter storage procedure:

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/winter-storage.html

Pay special attention to the "Do not run the engine over the winter! You'll just create condensation in the engine and combustion byproducts (acids, etc) in the oil. Resist the temptation." part.

I am at Rockland County like 30 minutes from NYC Pretty far from where you are

Yeah, you are down by gstwin member ginoe, who is also in Rockland county  

[crezydave]

ok well the bike started up fine. had to jump it with a car. i took it for a little spin around the block. i just missed riding it. well i took off the battery and leaving it around the garage. ill just not start it till the season hits. Thanks a lot for your help