GOT IT!!!! ...and it doesn't run (UPDATED with pictures!)

[Unnamed]

I went and picked up my new '96 GS500 today, traveling to Iowa for about 5 hours to get it. I bought it on Ebay with Buy it Now for $1200, which is a pretty reasonable price. It is very pretty, although a bit scratched, and after I clean her up a bit I'll post some pictures. The problem is, my new baby won't run. When I got there I tried to start it, to find that it wouldn't even turn over. The seller says the battery is pretty new but might be "drained" since he hadn't run it in a month. Before that it hadn't been run in a year. He did, however, say that he was able to make it run within the last year. So, with the key in the ignition, the engine wouldn't turn over. Instead I tried push starting it, got a cough, but it wouldn't run. I was a bit upset since he told me it had run earlier and I had already paid for half of it with Paypal. So, I went to a nearby Farm and Fleet, got some jumper cables, and jumped it. I was able to get the engine to turn over that way, but it wouldn't run. Eventually I came to an agreement with the seller that I would take the bike and $200 of what I agreed to pay, and he would keep the title. Any money that I spend getting it running will be subtracted from the price I agreed to pay. Which brings me to my arrival back home.

So, back at home, I was able to get the engine turning over occasionally. It seemed totally random, luckily my nifty Clymer guide showed me that to get the engine turning over you need to fulfill a bunch of requirements- sidestand down, clutch in, neutral, and something else. Finally I figured out that the damn switch in the clutch was a total POS and had either broken or gotten worn down, so the circuit was only sometimes getting completed. Until I can find another one of those I simply bypassed that switch. So now I can make it turn over every time I hit the starter. It still won't run though.

I checked the spark plugs, and they are recieving a current and producing a spark when I hit the starter, so I don't think the problem is with the ignition system. They were coated in fuel from my attempts to start it, but I wiped them off and they seemed ok. Speaking of which, a previous owner had detached a part from the choke system, making it totally useless. I screwed that part back in, but I have no idea why he would have done that. Anyway, I proceeded to remove the tank to see if I could see anything, but to no avail. Could anyone give me some places to start looking for problems? It seems that the ignition was working, gas was reaching the carbs, but it won't run. I'm very very very excited to have the bike, but I'd be a whole lot happier if I could make it run, even if only poorly. She is so beautiful, but so broken...

[GSdave]

well maybe he removed one of the choke parts because it was related to the promblem? but that just a guess i really don't know,,, if its not spark,,its either air or fuel...

[GeeP]

If it's jetted correctly it will be difficult to start it cold without the choke!

Wash out the gas tank and drain the carbs.  If it's been sitting around for a while there may be some water in the system.

[Mandres]

Step 1:  Get yourself a compression tester.  Harbor freight has them for $5-$10 or you could borrow one from an autoparts store.  Check compression on each cylinder.  If your readings are low (anything under 120 or so) the engine is going to need to be overhauled before it will ever run.  I made the same mistake; bought my bike non-running with the assurance that "the carbs just need to be cleaned".  6 months and $500 later it's finally running after a complete top end rebuild. 

Step 2: Assuming you have good compression remove the tank, airbox and carbs.  Disassemble and clean the carbs thoroughly to remove old gummed up gas and clear clogged passages.  Double check all o-rings are intact and the jets are clear of obstructions.  Reassemble and reinstall.  Hook up the throttle and choke assemblies carefully and adjust the cables for proper slack. 

Step 3: Replace the plugs (for $3 ea. you might as well eliminate them as a variable) and charge the battery. 

Step 4: Prime the carbs by turning the Petcock to 'Pri' for a minute or two and then back to 'On'.  Open the choke, pull the clutch lever and try to start it up.  Good luck!

-M

[ukchickenlover]

I am surprised you bought it. Did he say it ran in the advert?

[werase643]

step 1  buy new NGK spark plugs
step 2  drain the fuel out of the carb bowls
step 3  pull old plugs
step 4  crank it over a couple of time to clear the cylinders of some of the gas
step 5  install the purdy new plugs
step 6  charge batt or use the J-cables...car NOT running
step 7  try to start the bike

do simple stuff first

an accurate compression test can only be performed on a HOT(operating temp) engine
i've seen cold.....110-120 PSI.....HOT 175-185 PSI -----same engine

[Unnamed]

Thanks for all the help! I asked him if it ran before buying and he said he was able to make it run (with some start fluid) a couple weeks ago when he listed it on ebay. I'm gonna try some starter fluid today and see if it helps. I've also emptied the tank and I'm gonna put some new fuel in today, since its off right now I think I'll clean out the carbs. I was hoping to be able to run some ethanol to clean them but since its been sitting so long I don't think I'll be able to. I'll get a compression tester today as well, although I don't think its a compression problem because when I was push starting it it would stop abruptly as the motion wasn't enough to compress the cylinder.

The spark plugs are a good idea, the ones I've got now should be replaced within 500 miles and their spark seems a little cool- not blue enough. What part number do I need for new plugs? Or how do I find ones that fit?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Just a heads up when you buy something.... never leave the title with the seller... he could call the cops, and tell them you stole the bike. Unless you have a signed contract with the terms of your agreement, he could easily say you stole it, he would get his bike back, you would face criminal charges, AND he would keep the money you already paid him. Not saying that this guy would do that... just saying that it's a possibility. Posession is NOT 9/10ths the law... posession of the title, with YOUR name on it, IS.

[werase643]

well, i'd take out my spark plugs....and take them to an auto parts store...Advance auto carries NGK
autozone carries N-D plugs

and then get new plugs

[corndog67]

You paid way too much for a bike that doesn't run. 

[werase643]

we could say that to everyone that buys a new bike......

it may be true, but not nice to kick a guy in the ballz when he is down

[Unnamed]

Just a heads up when you buy something.... never leave the title with the seller... he could call the cops, and tell them you stole the bike. Unless you have a signed contract with the terms of your agreement, he could easily say you stole it, he would get his bike back, you would face criminal charges, AND he would keep the money you already paid him. Not saying that this guy would do that... just saying that it's a possibility. Posession is NOT 9/10ths the law... posession of the title, with YOUR name on it, IS.

Well, for what its worth, the title has already been signed over to me, he is just holding it. Thanks for the advice though, I'll keep it in mind for the future.

So I went to a couple auto parts stores and couldn't find any spark plugs to fit. I'll see if there are any autozones or advances around and call them. I did pick up a can of starter fluid, and was able to get the bike running. At first it was just running off the starter fluid, but after a few minutes I was able to keep it running for 30 seconds or more, after the fluid had been depleted. To do that I had to keep it running over about 4k rpms, if it dropped lower it would slowly keep dropping until it sputtered out. So, I know that the current plugs are firing hot enough to sustain combustion, and I know that gas is getting to the engine. Speaking of which, I had also emptied the old gas and put in a gallon of new gas.

So, since the engine will run by itself but only poorly, I'm thinking I need to do some work on the carbs. Is this a reasonable place to start? I'm considering getting a couple carb rebuild kits and taking them apart and cleaning/ rebuilding them. I know there are plenty of threads with directions about doing this, but I'm not sure that its the best course of action. Anyone else have any guesses/ tests for me to do? I'm going to buy some spark plugs online if I can't find any around here, because I'm thinking that those are old and any little things like that will help. I'm excited that it was running, if only poorly... I'm gonna clean her up soon and get pictures up!

[Mandres]

You paid way too much for a bike that doesn't run. 

Not necessarily; it depends on how many miles are on it and what's wrong with it.  If it is something minor like bad plugs or dirty carbs then I'd say he got a great deal.

-edit Autozone carries the correct plugs, at least my local store does.  They're NGK DPR8EA-9 or Nippondenso X24EPR-UR gapped to .8-.9 mm. 
I'd say the carbs are a good place to start.  Make sure all o-rings are intact and all of the small passages are clear of gunk.  If you need them rebuild kids can be had cheaply from www.partsnmore.com .

-M

[Unnamed]

Are you sure about that site? It seems to only carry rebuild kits for the 89-93 GS500s- https://www.partsnmore.com/motorcycle-carb-rebuild-kits.php?make=suzuki&category=carb_kits

[Mandres]

They're all the same up through 2000.

-M

KJB: Replaced "to 2001" with "through 2000".

[pantablo]

Eventually I came to an agreement with the seller that I would take the bike and $200 of what I agreed to pay, and he would keep the title. Any money that I spend getting it running will be subtracted from the price I agreed to pay.

given your agreement, why would you waste YOUR time getting it running? Just take it to a dealer or indie shop and have them fix it. You'll then have paperwork to support how much you spent (since you can't get reimburse for your time) and take that off the price you paid. You shouldnt have to deal with it if he advertised it as running-even running "last time he checked".

[Phaedrus]

You shouldnt have to deal with it if he advertised it as running-even running "last time he checked".

Even if it is purchased "as is"? 

I don't know if this is the case or not, but...something to consider.

[Unnamed]

Eventually I came to an agreement with the seller that I would take the bike and $200 of what I agreed to pay, and he would keep the title. Any money that I spend getting it running will be subtracted from the price I agreed to pay.

given your agreement, why would you waste YOUR time getting it running? Just take it to a dealer or indie shop and have them fix it. You'll then have paperwork to support how much you spent (since you can't get reimburse for your time) and take that off the price you paid. You shouldnt have to deal with it if he advertised it as running-even running "last time he checked".

I've been keeping this option in reserve, since I'd like to learn more about the bike to work on future problems. I've got a good amount of free time and if I can get it running myself I think I'd be better off in the long run than by letting a mechanic fix it without seeing what he did. If I'm unable to fix it I'll take it to a mechanic, but for now I'd rather teach myself.

[corndog67]

You paid way too much for a bike that doesn't run. 

Not necessarily; it depends on how many miles are on it and what's wrong with it.  If it is something minor like bad plugs or dirty carbs then I'd say he got a great deal.

-edit Autozone carries the correct plugs, at least my local store does.  They're NGK DPR8EA-9 or Nippondenso X24EPR-UR gapped to .8-.9 mm. 
I'd say the carbs are a good place to start.  Make sure all o-rings are intact and all of the small passages are clear of gunk.  If you need them rebuild kids can be had cheaply from www.partsnmore.com .

-M

I'll sell you mine for  $1000, and you can ride it anywhere in this country with confidence.   I will even put in new fork seals and register it.

[Mandres]

You paid way too much for a bike that doesn't run. 

Not necessarily; it depends on how many miles are on it and what's wrong with it.  If it is something minor like bad plugs or dirty carbs then I'd say he got a great deal.

-edit Autozone carries the correct plugs, at least my local store does.  They're NGK DPR8EA-9 or Nippondenso X24EPR-UR gapped to .8-.9 mm. 
I'd say the carbs are a good place to start.  Make sure all o-rings are intact and all of the small passages are clear of gunk.  If you need them rebuild kids can be had cheaply from www.partsnmore.com .

-M

I'll sell you mine for  $1000, and you can ride it anywhere in this country with confidence.   I will even put in new fork seals and register it.

Damn, where were you 6 months ago    If I had the money freed up right now I'd jump all over that.  You could easily get almost twice that much selling locally or even e-bay.

-M