Valvetrain problem?

[bucket_chemist]

Hi everyone. I hate to be the new guy who immediately asks for help, but it's my non-running machine which brought me here.

I've got a 2007 GS500F with just under 10,000 miles on. It's been reliable up till now. Last time I tried starting it I went through the usual routine (choke, clutch, starter) and it started ok. I let it run for a little bit, then turned off the choke and the machine stalled a few seconds later. This is not unusual for my bike. It's happened before, especially on cold mornings (this was about 40 F) and the beast is a bit reluctant in the cold.

Anyway, when I restarted there was a massive backfire through the exhaust, the engine died and now when I press the start button all I hear is the starter motor spin without cranking the engine.

The scheduled maintenance is up to date; the Suzuki dealer has done all the work for me.

Has anyone else experienced this? I haven't got a place to tear it apart at the moment, or it would already be in pieces. Any advice you might have for me before I take it to the mechanic would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Dizzledan]

Take out your sparkplugs and try to turn the engine to be sure that your engine isn't cranking.

If your starter motor is spinning, but not the engine; the next thing to check would be the starter gears (behind left side cover). The idler? (smallest) sits on a shaft and connects to the starter clutch gear (huge one). The starter clutch gear has the actual starter clutch mechanism on the shaft, and if the screws that hold that mechanism back out, the starter clutch gear can work backwards and out of the way of the idler gear. It's all very confusing in text, take a look at this:

http://www.bikebandit.com/1989-suzuki-gs500e/o/m139415#sch232590

[bucket_chemist]

Take out your sparkplugs and try to turn the engine to be sure that your engine isn't cranking.

If your starter motor is spinning, but not the engine; the next thing to check would be the starter gears (behind left side cover). The idler? (smallest) sits on a shaft and connects to the starter clutch gear (huge one). The starter clutch gear has the actual starter clutch mechanism on the shaft, and if the screws that hold that mechanism back out, the starter clutch gear can work backwards and out of the way of the idler gear. It's all very confusing in text, take a look at this:

http://www.bikebandit.com/1989-suzuki-gs500e/o/m139415#sch232590

Thanks! I'll pull off the covers on the left and have a look. Maybe it's a simple fix after all.

[bucket_chemist]

Take out your sparkplugs and try to turn the engine to be sure that your engine isn't cranking.

If your starter motor is spinning, but not the engine; the next thing to check would be the starter gears (behind left side cover). The idler? (smallest) sits on a shaft and connects to the starter clutch gear (huge one). The starter clutch gear has the actual starter clutch mechanism on the shaft, and if the screws that hold that mechanism back out, the starter clutch gear can work backwards and out of the way of the idler gear. It's all very confusing in text, take a look at this:

http://www.bikebandit.com/1989-suzuki-gs500e/o/m139415#sch232590

Dizzledan wins the prize. Just talked to my mechanic, and it was pretty much exactly as you said. No damage done as well, which is nice.

Thanks! I'll pull off the covers on the left and have a look. Maybe it's a simple fix after all.

[Dizzledan]

Dizzledan wins the prize. Just talked to my mechanic, and it was pretty much exactly as you said. No damage done as well, which is nice.

Glad to hear. How much did he charge you to fix it?

[bucket_chemist]

About $150. 1.5 hours labour, and they came to pick up the bike from my house.

But, while I was at the shop I saw a gorgeous SV1000 for sale, which has me thinking of adding to the stable, so the final cost might be far more than $150.