After 4 months she wont start

[ymatt11]

Hey everyone!

Got a little problem.. I was at my parents over the weekend, so I figured it would be a good time to get the GS out of winter storage and truck her home.   I went to start her and she tries but wont turn over.  I checked some of the things I know to check.  Spark plug was in good shape and providing a spark, there was gas on the plug, and I also put that gas saver stuff in it before winter.  When i put the gas saver in it, i ran it for about 15 minutes to make sure it got down into the carb.

But she just wont turn over.. do you guys have any ideas?  its a 2005 gs500f.  Any suggestions would help.  Its still a little brisk here in central PA so I wont be riding for a little bit, but once we have the first nice day, i wanna be able to just fire it up, and not mess with it only to get it figured out at 9 at night when its cold out again.

THANKS!!
~Matt

[ben2go]

Turn the fuel valve to PRI(PRIme) when you try to start it.Have you tried to roll start it?Remember the alternator/generator doesn't start charging good untill 3500+ rpm.Beware,of this when you get it started,so you don't accidently kill it again.It's embarrassing to have your bike die at a stop sign or red light and then not start,because the battery is dead.

[yamahonkawazuki]

either change the gas, or put a very small amount in the cc, and choke and fire it. BUT change plugs. you say they are good, but just change em  

[ben2go]

I agree with big fat looser above(sorry couldn't resist ragging on your custom title).


Plugs are only a couple $ each remember you need 2.

[ymatt11]

either change the gas, or put a very small amount in the cc, and choke and fire it. BUT change plugs. you say they are good, but just change em 

I was going to try and remove the gas and maybe change the plugs..  what do you recommend? there are all kinds of different plugs out there. 

I I know its set on pri.  I tried all settings at one point.

[ymatt11]

Turn the fuel valve to PRI(PRIme) when you try to start it.Have you tried to roll start it?Remember the alternator/generator doesn't start charging good untill 3500+ rpm.Beware,of this when you get it started,so you don't accidently kill it again.It's embarrassing to have your bike die at a stop sign or red light and then not start,because the battery is dead.

The batt. is charged, it sat on a float all winter.

[ben2go]

I use autolite or champion.Unsure of the part numbers.I usually take one and ask what they have for replacement.Try this for plugs. http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/SparkPlugs Also check the switch on the left handle bar.Turn it off and on a couple times to make sure it's not grounding the ignition.I had a weak spark and that was my problem.It was on a different bike tho.

[ymatt11]

I use autolite or champion.Unsure of the part numbers.I usually take one and ask what they have for replacement.Try this for plugs. http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/SparkPlugs Also check the switch on the left handle bar.Turn it off and on a couple times to make sure it's not grounding the ignition.I had a weak spark and that was my problem.It was on a different bike tho.

I was just reading that.. haah

I heard somewhere that sometimes those more expensive platinum ones can give you more HP, but can be bad for the engine.

[spc]

More Horsepower by maybe .25 of a hp.  It's a waste.  I use regular NGK's in my Duc that run me $2.75 a piece, and that's what I used in my GS and Gixxer without a problem.

[gsJack]

I would/do just jump start it from the car when it sits for a while in the winter.  It should start OK after that.

I ride year round here in NE Ohio and usually have to jump it a couple times every winter after it sits a while.  Once started it will restart all day long and probably tomorrow too.

A cold engine with cold heavy oil use most of it's voltage cranking the engine leaving little for the spark.  Most bikes are not really designed for winter use here, need more battery.

[The Buddha]

809 champions. Works best for the GS'es, my virago seems to prefer autolites though.
Cool.
Srinath.

[GeeP]

I would/do just jump start it from the car when it sits for a while in the winter.  It should start OK after that.

I ride year round here in NE Ohio and usually have to jump it a couple times every winter after it sits a while.  Once started it will restart all day long and probably tomorrow too.

A cold engine with cold heavy oil use most of it's voltage cranking the engine leaving little for the spark.  Most bikes are not really designed for winter use here, need more battery.

Works every time for me.  In fact, I just did it a few weeks ago.  You might also drain a few ounces out of each float bowl first.

[sledge]

I would/do just jump start it from the car when it sits for a while in the winter.  It should start OK after that.

I ride year round here in NE Ohio and usually have to jump it a couple times every winter after it sits a while.  Once started it will restart all day long and probably tomorrow too.

A cold engine with cold heavy oil use most of it's voltage cranking the engine leaving little for the spark.  Most bikes are not really designed for winter use here, need more battery.

Agreed.......a shot or two of Easy-start in the air-filter will also help.

Works every time for me.  In fact, I just did it a few weeks ago.  You might also drain a few ounces out of each float bowl first.

[jaypeezy215]

Hey listen I have the same bike same year and did the same things you did before winter and had the same problem. (and i am from the same state  Philly!) I came on this forum and they were very helpful so this is what i did to get my bike started. Make sure your battery is charged, that was part of my problem. I went out and bought a new battery and that half helped my problem. After the new battery I got a kick but no start, so i put the fuel on PRI. Still didnt start. I threw the choke up, cranked it a few times, and it started up a little rough, but let it run for a while and it should be back to normal. If you need the bike to get somewhere i suggest jumping it from a car. Hope this was helpful let me know how everything went!

[ymatt11]

Hey listen I have the same bike same year and did the same things you did before winter and had the same problem. (and i am from the same state  Philly!) I came on this forum and they were very helpful so this is what i did to get my bike started. Make sure your battery is charged, that was part of my problem. I went out and bought a new battery and that half helped my problem. After the new battery I got a kick but no start, so i put the fuel on PRI. Still didnt start. I threw the choke up, cranked it a few times, and it started up a little rough, but let it run for a while and it should be back to normal. If you need the bike to get somewhere i suggest jumping it from a car. Hope this was helpful let me know how everything went!

Great!  it is still on the truck right now. Tomorrow is going to be in the mid 50s so i think I will get it off the truck, change the plugs, and do some of the things mentioned. 

Everyone here is such a big help!!!

[Flywheel]

The gs500 is the most cold-blooded motorcycle of all time. Unscrew the spark plugs, spray a quick shot of ether into either cylinder and replace the plugs. Barring other potential problems, it should fire up nicely. I did it this past weekend, when the temperature hovered around freezing.   

[ymatt11]

The gs500 is the most cold-blooded motorcycle of all time. Unscrew the spark plugs, spray a quick shot of ether into either cylinder and replace the plugs. Barring other potential problems, it should fire up nicely. I did it this past weekend, when the temperature hovered around freezing.   

I will pick some up tonight... I assume I can get that an any auto parts store...

[TheGoodGuy]

having a charged battery helps. Once you got that, then run it on prime, use some choke.. and let her rip. It wont start right away, and when it does it will sputter. About 5 minutes of it running okay (with choke and stuff) it will stabilize. When running on choke dont let it over rev past 3500 rpms.. so adjust as you go.. and in about 5 mintues it will be purring like a kitten..

[ymatt11]

UPDATE!

I got it started today... Didn't do a thing different. I think I might of flooded it the first time, and didn't give the gas enough time to evaporate.  It only has 1300 miles on it. I bought it last July and put 1100 on it. I am still going to change out the plugs this weekend.