Gs500f not starting? I need help

[thomasyokoi]

So I have had my GS500F about 3 years, it is a 2005 with about 6800 miles. The bike was stored for about a year when I was deployed. Since I got it back, I changed out the fluids, put in a new battery (old one was dead)  road it up and down the street a few times and noticed it was running a little rough.  About 3 weeks later I tried to start it up to move and and it wouldnt even crank over. The lights work fine and don't look dim.  Jumping it didnt help.  It is a brand new battery but when I try to turn it over all I get is this whinning noise, almost like when starter teeth are ground down.   Here is a link to a video with the same noise that mine makes.   

Does anyone know what is wrong?!

http://youtu.be/DZRrDmqZTsM

[Dr.McNinja]

Pull the starter.


Sounds exactly like the sound something will make when the teeth of a gear are ground down. I'd be willing to put money on either your starter clutch or starter motor being blown. Though this is the first time I've ever heard of something like this.

[sledge]

Search "sprag clutch" or "starter clutch" This fault is common and there are plenty of threads on the subject

No need to remove the starter motor at this stage but the LH cover and the rotor does have to come off, which means draining the oil and probably a new gasket.  Then examine the sprag clutch and idler gear for sticking/worn rollers and springs or damage to the teeth on the idler gear and starter shaft and go from there.

Overhaul kits for the clutches are available, you don't have to replace the whole part.

http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/Suzuki/GS_500_FK4_FK5/04-05/picture/Starter_Clutch_Repair_Kit/

Using oil that contains friction modifiers can cause the problem you describe. If there is no obvious damage or reason why the cluch is not functioning correctly this may be the reason and you might get away with just giving the parts a good cleaning in solvent and an oil and filter change.

The whole process is covered in detail the service manuals.

[GSnoober]

Sledge touched on this, and I want to follow up on it. You told us you changed the fluids; if you used a typical automotive oil, one with friction modifiers in it, your clutch plates are now soaking in oil they were not designed for.

Post any information you have on the oil you put in; odds are good that the oil is at least part of the problem. If so, draining the oil and refilling with something more appropriate MIGHT make the clutch fiber discs usable again, though they might be so thoroughly contaminated with the wrong oil that you'll have to replace them.

Let us know what oil you used; if you're feeling ambitious, drain the oil and do NOT refill it right away. If you choose to do this, REMOVE THE BATTERY so that no one tries to start the engine while there is no oil in it. Do NOT refill the oil until you know you've got the right type of oil. Shell Rotella-T 15-W40 is a good choice, but there are others which will work just as well.

More information about oils in this thread:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=57566.0

along with countless numbers of others scattered around the board... gsJack uses the Shell Rotella-T and has put more than 110K miles on his two GS500 motorcycles...