1997 gs500e with start problems HELP!

[newbie1993]

A few months ago I purchased a 1997 GS500e from a private owner here in maryland. I bought for $850 dollars. I was told all it needed was a battery and new fluids so I went to my local Pete's Cycle and bought a battery ( BikeMaster) and did the fluid changes. I installed the battery and went to start the bike and Nothing.. I thought it might be bad spark plugs, so I replaced those and tried again still nothing. So then I thought maybe its the starter relay, I replaced the Starter solenoid and then things got a little promising. I went to start the bike and it practically started. I believe i heard the starter motor working and then giving out. So today i decided to make a video of me trying to start her up. Sooooo Frustrating!! Here is the video <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LcE-kna2_5A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Soloratov]

Are you sure it's getting fuel? What is the petcock set to? It just sounds like it's looking for fuel. Need a little more info I think.

[newbie1993]

I have the fuel petcock set to Prime. Something also seems to be draining the battery. I bought a battery tender and fully charge the battery and it died within the time span of that short video

[Soloratov]

Battery tenders aren't normally meant to charge the battery, just keep it there. I assume you fully filled the battery, and it was properly charged before putting it in the bike? You might have a short somewhere I suppose...but that could be a whole separate search right there.

Just as a check, unscrew the carb drain screws a little on each side, just to be sure there is at least fuel in the carbs.

[Paulcet]

I was told all it needed was a battery and new fluids

And you believed him?! 

Very possibly clogged passages in the carbs.  I assume you had the choke pulled all the way toward you..... The battery tender will charge a battery, but not quickly.  Overnight.  Your battery is fine, but for diagnosing starting problems, you can use a car battery for longer sessions. 

[newbie1993]

I believed HER.. sadly only because she had one of those pretty, innocent faces... besides I don't go out places expecting to be lied to... but you are right... and if it is clogged what are the steps I need to take to un-clog the passages?

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[newbie1993]

There is fuel in the carbs float bowls

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[Soloratov]

Paulcet made a good point, carbs could be just clogged inside. Did you take them out and do any cleaning to them? Depending on how long the bike sat, or any other issues it had, it could be pretty gummy inside. Wouldn't hurt to take them out, take apart and check everything. Even if it's just for the knowledge. You want to make sure the floats are set right, jets are correct sizes, and generally cleaned out. Depending on the level of disassembly you do will determine the best cleaning solution. If you go 100% apart, then just use brake or carb cleaner. Aim the straw at all the little holes until it's dripping and shiny. Just DO NOT do that if any rubber is still in there. I used a bucket of undiluted simple green to clean my carbs originally. Leave them in the bucket overnight and then...use a toothbrush to clean. Pretty quick really. Find something to swap the small passages with, or if you have an air hose you can just blow them out.

One of the nice things about the GS, it's an easy bike. Generally, a starting/running issue is a result of faulty carbs or electrics. Both are something to learn to diagnose.

[newbie1993]

When I took the carbs out I only cleaned the jets and the float bowls. I'm assuming I missed some key parts that should've been cleaned. I need a bit of help knowing exactly where I can spray carb cleaner and where I can't spray it. And where I should spray it and where its okay not to spray it

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[Soloratov]

As long as it's carb cleaner, and not brake cleaner, then pretty much anywhere is ok. Any degreaser/cleaner will dry out and crack rubber bits after prolonged exposure, so I usually make sure those parts are just taken out. You really want to try to get all the little holes cleaned out. They all play important roles in air/fuel mixture. I'll give you some links to check out, but look up the GS Wiki page...very handy. Make sure you re-sync the carbs as well before putting them back on. There are links, but this is how I did it, and it's very very simple and quick.

1. Find a small electrical wire (copper, stranded type), say 4in long.
2. Rip the wire apart, and take out just one strand of copper wire
3. Using the adjustment screw for the carbs, get them both so they barely grab that strand of wire as you slide it past the butterfly valves. Slide it through and tweak the screw a bit back and forth a few times to get the feel. You want it to feel the same on both sides.

It's not a perfect method, and far from "official", but it's free, fast, easy and as far out of whack as mine were, it worked great.

This is the disassembly pic of your carbs:
http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Main.1989-2000

This is a VERY long, but very good vid for cleaning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ2Crz1wVts

Check the float height when you are done:
http://www.bbburma.net/FloatHeight.htm

[newbie1993]

I will be sure to use this information.. if I have anymore issues I know where to come. Thanks! But as far as my battery drainage, will a regulator/rectifier & stator replacement solve this issue? I bought a battery charger and I charged my battery for 24 hours and as soon as I go to start the bike that 24hour charge is gone faster and faster each time. Have any idea what's up?

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[Paulcet]

But as far as my battery drainage, will a regulator/rectifier & stator replacement solve this issue? I bought a battery charger and I charged my battery for 24 hours and as soon as I go to start the bike that 24hour charge is gone faster and faster each time. Have any idea what's up?

You mean like in your video?  Perfectly normal.  A regulator/rectifier & stator only work if the bike is actually running.

[newbie1993]

Why does it get drained so quickly though? That's what I'm wondering

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[Paulcet]

So quickly....  LIKE IN YOUR VIDEO?  THAT'S NORMAL.

[newbie1993]

Yes, like in my video... A 24HOUR CHARGE GONE.. in a 1 minute 45 seconds... Looks like I really have a lot to learn. Guess my username really suits me well

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