Bike Just Stopped Running!

[AFGuy]

I was on my way to work on my 2004 GS500f when my bike started having issues... firstly, it was loud like the engine wasn't burning all the fuel in the cylinder and it had next to no power. Also, it wouldn't go above 5,000 rpm and the valves were louder than usual. I have seen this before, where the bike gums up the spark plugs.But, at the stop light, it just shut off... no smoke, no loud knock or bang. The starter engages, but won't even turn the engine over... and the battery has power!

Please help!

[Mechmech]

Check your spark plugs, are they fouled? Are you leaking any gas anywhere?

Is the bike stock, or have you done any mods to the fuel delivery/carbs/air/engine?

[reload]

not sure what you mean by starter engages but wont turn the engine over. you mean its engaging but not firing?

[adidasguy]

Do you have gas in the tank? I mean - really have gas? Sometimes people thing there is plenty but they need to be on reserve. Reserve is one gallon - 1/5 of your tank.

[BockinBboy]

A few things to check to narrow down the list.

Check plugs (as Mech has suggested already)
Check Float height using the U-tube bend method to ensure proper fuel delivery to carbs.
From there, you should have direction of whether it is an air or fuel problem...
If its fuel related, I'd be checking for spark first then move to the fuel delivery.
If its air related, I'd be checking air filter for blockages or massive leaks.
If its neither air or fuel, then you have bigger issues.. best case, electrical.  worse case, compression.

Also, try to see if it will run on prime.

Additional info would helpful, such as.  Maintenance history  (oil changes, carb clean/sync, valve check, etc..) Air filter, carb jetting, etc..

- Bboy

[jdoorn14]

Do you have gas in the tank? I mean - really have gas? Sometimes people thing there is plenty but they need to be on reserve. Reserve is one gallon - 1/5 of your tank.

This was my first thought, too, when reading your initial post.

[jacob92icu]

Almost sounds like you bent a valve. You say your engine is not turning over but the starter is engaging?

[Paulcet]

We should clarify terms:
"turn over" means the crankshaft is turning and pistons are moving.
"Starter Engage " means the starter clutch engages the crankshaft, attempting to turn it.

[sledge]

Any oil in it?

[weedahoe]

Last time I bought a bike from a guy where the starter engaged but wouldn't turn over the engine, it was because the engine was locked up.

[Paulcet]

Out of oil=symptoms as described

[Funderb]

second the out of oil thing, if "not turning over" is meant to mean what I think it means.

[AFGuy]

It's got plenty of oil, which had been added the day before. No leaks... I tore the bike apart this past summer and replaced all the seals, petcocks and hoses, dismantled and cleaned out the carbs 4 times. It's good to go as far as everything goes except running. The starter is definitely engaging the crank shaft, but there is no engine rotation. It pretty much just stops and draws a lot of current... enough to almost kill the headlights. I've read a few other things and it does sound like I've bent a valve or broken a valve spring somehow. Would that keep the engine from turning over? I will try to put it on the center stand and turn the wheel in 6th gear tomorrow.

[weedahoe]

If the valve and piston are hitting each other then there is a mechanical failure and blockage. If the engine cannot spin, the starter wont make it spin. Try rotating the engine over my hand with a wrench

[jacob92icu]

If you bent a valve then your engine would still turn over, it just would not fire up. I don't think its an oil problem, were you riding the bike very hard recently? 

[adidasguy]

Put in neutral.
Take off the timing cover.
Turn clockwise with a 19mm wrench.
Can you turn the motor that way?
I prefer that over turning the rear wheel. Turning with the timing rotor turns just the engine. If on center stand, you can be in gear and it will also turn the rear wheel.

[jacob92icu]

Put in neutral.
Take off the timing cover.
Turn clockwise with a 19mm wrench.
Can you turn the motor that way?
I prefer that over turning the rear wheel. Turning with the timing rotor turns just the engine. If on center stand, you can be in gear and it will also turn the rear wheel.

This test will at least inform you and us if the engine is indeed the problem.

[craigs449]

sounds like my cr250 when the lower con rod bearing shaZam! the bed......running fine, then bogged down and would not throttle up.....came to a stop and she stalled and would not restart.....

[AFGuy]

No spin on the tire! I will try to turn the crankshaft with the wrench, tomorrow. What will this tell me? I had to let the bike sit for a about 4 days because it snowed. When I rode it next, it wasn't running as well, but leveled out. Figured the carbs had just clogged a bit. It ran fine for about 9 miles, then seemed to have no power in the top 4,000 rpms. I figured it was another carb jet, so I ran it hard for a couple of miles. That's when it started making the weird noise and had less power. The oil light was on, but the oil wasn't too low as I found out when I added oil. It started perfectly three days later, but still had no power. Also, it was still making the noise above 3,000 rpms and wouldn't go above 5,000. It seemed to run while I was in gear, but died when I stopped in neutral and just wouldn't start again.

[AFGuy]

I never heard any loud pings or knocks or squeals/screeches. Also never saw or smelled any smoke. Shouldn't a mechanical failure like a seized piston, bad bearing, thrown rod, or shot valve make one of those?