Bike won't start

[jigantor]

Hi all,

My '97 GS500E has run perfectly well for the 18+ months I've had it. Never had any dramas starting/stalling etc. It doesn't get heavy use, usually gets taken out once or twice a week. This means that I'm a total noob and don't actually know much about it (having never had to do anything more complex to it).

About two months ago it was parked outside my girlfriend's house and refused to start. It sounded more or less like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOPeGfj-gug

I came back a few days later with tools etc., gave it a try, and it started without a problem. I figured I'd just flooded it or something (probably showing my ignorance right there) and thought nothing further of it. Has run without incident since then, though it does seem slightly more reluctant to start than it used to.

Yesterday the exact same thing happened. Tried again this morning and still no dice. If any one has any ideas on

a) how to get it running again and
b) how to fix the problem in the long term

that would be awesome.

Sorry if this is a really obvious question.

Cheers,
Tim

[ben2go]

Are you setting the frame petcock to PRI(prime) when you try to start it?If you do and it doesn't start,either there is something wrong with the petcock vacuum line or the petcock's internal diaphragm is bad.

[Big Rich]

I can't watch videos from my phone- so can you describe what it's doing (or not doing)?

[ryott52]

Check for the big three man, fuel spark and compression.

[ben2go]

I can't watch videos from my phone- so can you describe what it's doing (or not doing)?

The vid is of a different bike.It is spinning over but not firing off.

[Big Rich]

Could it be a battery that is too weak when it's cold? I mean, first thing in the morning and the battery doesn't have enough juice to spin the starter?

[ryott52]

If it's like the video then it sounds like the starter is cranking alright.

[jigantor]

@ben2go Have now tried it on PRI with the same result. If it were something to do with the petcock, I'm guessing fixing it is not straightforward...?

@ryott52 filled it up a week ago so shouldn't be fuel. Haven't checked spark/compression because I will have to learn how to first   but I guess that could be my weekend's entertainment..

@bigrich I wondered if it might be the battery, since it's cold (by Australian standards  ) and the bike doesn't get a heap of use relatively speaking. Is it worth trying to push start it?

[ryott52]

Just because there's fuel in the tank doesn't necessarily mean there's fuel getting to or through the carbs. After you crank it do you smell any gas from the exhaust? And have you checked to make sure you have spark?

[Big Rich]

Ah, good ol' Oz.

Try charging the battery first. If your battery isn't at it's peak performance, it can wreak havoc on all tests. But I can't think if much else that would be giving you intermittent fits like this. Unless maybe a wire or something is loose somewhere- maybe around the coils?

I don't think it would be compression since it's either good or bad all the time. Could be something in the fuel system.......but if you have gas in the bowls all the time that helps. Hmmmmm.......

[ben2go]

@ben2go Have now tried it on PRI with the same result. If it were something to do with the petcock, I'm guessing fixing it is not straightforward...?

@ryott52 filled it up a week ago so shouldn't be fuel. Haven't checked spark/compression because I will have to learn how to first    but I guess that could be my weekend's entertainment..

@bigrich I wondered if it might be the battery, since it's cold (by Australian standards  ) and the bike doesn't get a heap of use relatively speaking. Is it worth trying to push start it?

If you have tried your bike on PRI and it doesn't start then the fuel level is to low or there is and issue with the ignition.

Many of us use a 2004-07 Honda CRF250X petcock to eliminate the factory vacuum petcock.Here is my write up. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=56352.0

[mister]

You could try the old - open the throttle while trying to start to make sure you got fuel. Probably won't work but will make you feel like you're trying things.

I cannot listen to the video but let me guess... you press the starter, it turns over but won't start, as if there is no fuel, right?

And it first happened After it was sitting outside in the cold and wind?

When my bike sits in the cold and wind it becomes a little harder to start. Instead of firing up first time it might take a few tries. And when it does finally Catch, it initially feels very reluctant to but then, maybe a second later, it starts to rev higher. Did this maybe three/four times last winter and the winter before. All good so far this winter but we shall see.

Check your fluid levels in the battery. Sure your headlight might come on and then dim when you press the starter - a feature for Australian bikes it seems - making you think you got enough juice but you mightn't. So check and refill as needed. Put the battery on the charger then try again. Cold just doesn't effect fuel and stuff it effects batteries too. No charger? Try a jump start. Be sure to read the threads on jump starting m'bikes with cars before you do it 

Also, try sitting on your bike while you start it. Sometimes having the bike upright instead of on the centre stand could make a difference.

Have you ever tried aerostart?

Michael

[ryott52]

Do you have a service manual for your bike? Those are helpful for diagnosing lots of problems. If the battery is good and the bike is getting fuel the next thing to check would be spark. The plugs are easy to remove, and if you search on this site there are plenty of threads regarding spark plugs. If you've got any questions about specifics feel free to ask, somebody on here knows 

[jigantor]

So as it turns out....flat battery. Roll start, ride the freeway holding 5-6k revs for 45 minutes, problem solved.

Though it's been a handy kick in the pants that I'm a bit behind on maintenance. Thanks to all for the suggestions - very comforting for a hopeless noob 

[ryott52]

Glad it wasn't something expensive.