GS500F won't start

[ambkosh16]

Hey guys,

Unfortunately I'm having trouble with my bike...its very sad .  I took the bike out of storage for the winter months, put in my battery, cleaned the whole bike.  When i go to start it it doesn't kick over.  the battery plenty of power.  I used the PRI valve to force it for a few minutes then tried again with no luck.  It makes a very fast tapping like sound down near the exchaust area I don't know what it is, doesnt sound like the electric starter that makes a different sound.  I thought maybe the spark plugs were dirty or somethin so I unpluged them wipped them the clean and put em back in securely.  If someone knows the deal, let me know or if you happen to live in the tri-county michigan area you come help me .

Thanks guys.

[aaronstj]

If you had it in storage with gas in it, the carbs are almost certainly clogged and will need to be cleaned out.

[ambkosh16]

I used a fuel additive before i stored that was should of cleaned out the carbs before I stored it, i used it the year prior and it worked just fine.  I will look into cleaning it out, ill drain it to see if fuel is flowing or not.  Do you know what that click/tapping sound is by chance?

[aaronstj]

No idea.  I'm not super mechanically smart (yet).  I just remember what I read on the forum.

[ambkosh16]

If someone does let me know, all information is helpful.

[ambisinister]

If you just dumped fuel stabilizer in it after you parked it for storage I would suspect the carbs are gummed up. If you poured stabilizer(Stabil) into it and ran it long enough for it to go into the fuel lines and carbs before you shut it off for storage I'm stumped so far, but I'll think on it awhile and if I come up with anything helpful I'll let you know

[ambkosh16]

haha thanks, yes i let it run for a while when i put the fuel stabilizer in it (yeah i use stabil too! awesome).  Like I say though, im not sure what that dang clicking sound is down somewhere by the exhaust(not saying from the exhause), I cant pinpoint the exact loaction of that sound.  If we are all stumped I will record and post it, it will be helpful in the future if someone runs into the same problem (hopefully not though).

[scratch]

Welcome!

Take off the ignition cover off the right side engine cover, and using a 19mm wrench or socket, rotate the motor over by hand a few times to make sure things are turning.

The clicking sound is coming from under the right side cover under the driver's portion of the seat; it's your starter solenoid; when it clicks like that there usually isn't enough juice in the battery to turn the motor; the battery may have voltage, but it may not have enough amperage.  Make sure the fluid is up (distilled water only), and charge the battery.

[jeast]

make sure there isn't any corrosion on the battery terminals

[ambkosh16]

The sound does like it is coming from the position you described, I will try it out tomorrow if the weather permits and let you guys know what happens.  Thanks for your help.

[ccmbobcat]

when you hit the starter button does the motor turn over or does it just make the clicking noise

[ambkosh16]

the motor does not turn over, just the fast tapping/clicking sound (very fast).  I will be attempting to start it tomorrow once i charge my battery, trickle charging takes a while , once again, i will let everyone know how it turns out.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Bump start the bike. If it starts right up, chances are good it's just a dead battery. Note: When you bump start, make sure that the battery is in the bike, even if it's weak/dead, it helps even out the spikes that the generator creates.

[galahs]

I went to start my bike today and it kicked over for a whole 2 seconds. Then nothing.

I was worried as when it was in 1st with the clutch engaged the bike wouldn't even role!!!

It was a cold night, but I think my problem was I flooded it?


I turned the throttle alittle (1/16th) and had the choke on. 

[ambkosh16]

After buying a new battery(thats not charged), and trickle charging it for 12 hours, I popped in it and it runs.  Shut off a couple times but i just used the good old choke and ran it for a few minutes.  When it was all set i flew outta the garage like a bat out of hell   (and todays weather sucks compared to yesterday, just my luck).  Thanks for all the help I love this site, you'll be seeing me.