Help! the bike won't start after carb, fuel line, tank cleaning

[dchrist]

Hi Everyone!

I've just finished putting my 01 GS500 back together after a carb cleaning and and anti rust tank treatment and it won't start!

there is gas in the float bowels but I didn't have the tubing to check the float heights (I'll do that tonight).

when I put the carbs back on it sat for a couple days before I could get the tank on and get any gas in there could the floats be stuck? What would my float height look like if thats the case?

I'm also afraid I tightened the float screws too much. I put the screw flush with the float but I could move it pretty easily so I figured it was good. I didn't want it loose for fear the float would detach. would this prevent gas from getting to the engine?

when I hit the starter it tries to turn and then its just 'click click click click' you know?

Help me please! I just want to ride so bad!

[aaronstj]

Sounds like a weak battery.  Did you have the battery on a tender or anything?  Also, try putting it in prime for a couple of minutes to let the float bowls fill back up.

[dchrist]

the battery was powerful enough to run the lights, is that enough to start the engine? . I put it on a charger but it won't take a charge, keeps tripping the circuit breaker. maybe I should just buy a new battery? can't hurt right, I have no idea how old this one is. could be years. plus it got hard use when the bike broke down I just about drained it trying to start it up. but then it still wouldn't take a charge.

the bike's always been on prime while I've been trying this so there's plenty of gas in the float bowles. I don't know how to tell if its getting to the engine.

-d

[aaronstj]

the battery was powerful enough to run the lights, is that enough to start the engine?

Not necessarily.  You can have lights on and still not enough power to start the bike.  Turning over once or twice (or just starting to turn) and then clicking is pretty indicitive of a weak battery.  It takes a lot of power to turn the engine over and spark it, more power than it takes to light up the headlight.

[dchrist]

ok, that sounds about like what I've got, feels like half a turn... or like its just trying to turn over then clicks

why would the battery I have not take a charge?

[aaronstj]

You've just gone past the limits of my knowledge.  I don't really know much about batteries, other than what they do when they're weak.  *shrug*.

[dchrist]

I hear ya, thanks for the input. one of the things I wanted to do when I bought the bike was get a new battery anyway because it looks pretty old so i will see if that does it.

[Mandres]

There is no such thing as a float screw.  Which part are you talking about?  If you mean the idle mixture screws then tightening them all the way would absoultely prevent the bike from starting. 

[dchrist]

no, I didn't touch the air mixture screw when I cleaned them because it was running ok when I bought it so I figured that setting must be ok. shoould I try tighten it down then back it out a turn or two do you think?

the screw I meant was the one that secures the floats to the body of the carb.

[Mandres]

Ah, I see.   As long as the float bowl is held firmly (not leaking) then it's fine.   Your next step should be to pick up a length of 3/16" tube and check your float height.  If they're sticking the level will be higher than the gasket.  If your floats are good then I would suspect that battery too.  Do you have a multimeter? 

[dchrist]

does the multi meter measure the batteries charge? because if so i got one and when i got it home the damn thing wouldn't fit in the holes to pull any of the acid out of the cell..... so i don't have a way right now to check the batteries charge level.

we'll see about the float height when I get a chance to pick up the 3/16 tube. right now I think the floats are as likely a cause as the battery. except that it moved pretty freely by hand before I sealed the float bowels

[Mandres]

yea, sometimes the float needle will "rock" on it's little perch and bind up.  Also, dirt / rust can prevent it from making a good seal. 

[dchrist]

I'm a little worried about the float needle being jammed in place by a stuck float. but there's no rust or dirt in there anymore so no worries there. I don't want to take the carbs off again if I can help it but if a new battery doesn't cure it. I will have to atleast take off the float bowels and see if the float is sticking. I think I can do that without disconnecting it.

[Mandres]

well, you can perform the float height check w/out removing the carbs, or even the tank.  If the level is even with the gasket (as it should be) then you know the floats and float valves are fine.

-M