Removed and repainted headers, now bike won't start

[chacenger]

A couple of month ago I removed the headers from my '07 GS500F and painted them. After replacing them I had a hard time with one of the 4 bolts that hold the headers onto the towers (I think the hole was cross-threaded). I managed to get it on without doing what I felt was further damage and tried starting the bike. No luck. At the time I had battery issues so the bike has remained untouched since.

Recently I tried again and the starter just kept turning over and over but no ignition; not even any coughs. I can't see the area where the header meets the tower (covered by a sort of flange) so there's the possibility that there's a gap by the hole that was cross-threaded. Could this cause the bike not to start? - Although I've heard of people running without any headers at all.

Any help diagnosing the problem would be much appreciated!

[radodrill]

Probably not due to the exhaust bolt; more likely culprits are a bad/weak battery, bad spark plugs, clogged carburetors, no fuel, bad fuel, clogged filter, plugged exhaust, tight valves, etc.

Essentially anything that could cause no/weak spark, overly restrict air flow in/out of the engine, or inadequate fuel delivery.

No exhaust or leaking exhaust shouldn't prevent the bike from running, but could cause the engine to run a bit rough.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Lame Arse Battery and Funky Fuel   

Go Hawks!

[The Buddha]

Oh yea that was the last thing ginovega did before his bike didn't start - I think he put a V&H but ... besides the point ... funny, we rode it just 10 mins prior, and he wanted the thing to be cool to remove ... and I left before waiting for the pipe to cool and the paint to dry ...

Turns out he also changed the plugs with shiny new plugs ... and no more worky ...

You wouldn't happen to have done some like that would you ?

Cool.
Buddha.

[Alan_nc]

The pipes had absolutely nothing to do with the bike not starting.  The bike will start and run with no pipes (not recommended as it can burn valves).

You could have knocked a spark plug lead off during the pipe installation.
Did you remember to choke the bike?
Did you do anything else to the bike while changing the pipes?
Were you having other problems prior to changing the pipes?
Take one of the plugs out....connect the lead....lay it against the engine....crank engine over....does it spark?
If yes.....Now make sure it's getting gas.

[AK Baller]

I've been having some trouble lately with my bike starting from just sitting for a week - colder weather and battery mainly to blame (although I did find out about sticky clutch plates as well).

- Try to jump start your bike - whether it starts or doesn't from this point will help diagnose things... I just did it this morning for the first time since I didn't feel like waiting for the battery to recharge - all you need is a hill or steep-ish driveway (or a couple of friends), just make sure you have enough space not to run into things... Having said this, I'm entirely new at the bike thing so...

[chacenger]

I just went out and checked both spark plugs. Both are sparking when I take them out of their socket and rest them against the towers. The tank is half full of clean fuel and I tried each position on the fuel selector. Still won't start.

It ran before I removed the headers for painting. I didn't do anything else to it while I had it apart. As soon as I had replaced the headers after painting, I tried starting it up and it started for a moment and then died. I chalked that up to forgetting to turn the choke on; subsequent tries wouldn't turn over (because of the bad battery).

Now the battery has a good charge and I can't even get the sputter that I had got the first time.

RE: jump starting the bike: I've jumped started it before in better weather but when I tried jump starting the bike the day I repainted the headers I got no signs of life out of it. Just a skidding rear tire and no turn over.

[Suzuki Stevo]

RE: jump starting the bike: I've jumped started it before in better weather but when I tried jump starting the bike the day I repainted the headers I got no signs of life out of it. Just a skidding rear tire and no turn over.

"Jump Starting" is not running down the street with the bike then jumping on the seat as you let out the clutch....if your tire is skidding, try a higher gear next time you jump start it 

36-zip....go Hawks!

[radodrill]

 
Jump starting = connecting a charged battery to your vehicle, using jumper cables, to provide the power needed to start the engine.

Bump starting = get the vehicle moving while holding the clutch; once moving fast enough, put the vehicle in gear and release the clutch to turn over (and hopefully start) the engine.
/

[chacenger]

My mistake, I meant bump start. Regardless it didn't work.

[radodrill]

Have you tried fresh fuel?

Also, spark plugs can spark outside the piston, but not have enough spark to ignite the fuel.

Were the plugs wet when you pulled them after trying to start the bike?

[Suzuki Stevo]

If everyone had a Battery Tender and used Sta-Bil there would be nothing to post about 

[adidasguy]

If everybody had a GOOD battery......

(No tender required)

[chacenger]

The plugs were bone dry when I pulled them out (I had tried starting several times before removing them). The fuel is the same tank I put it away with about 2 months ago. I meant to add stabilizer to is but didn't get around to it... is 2 months enough to make the fuel go bad?

I keep my battery on a tender inside the house through the winter. I've been taking it out and installing it each time I try to start the bike.

[Suzuki Stevo]

If everybody had a GOOD battery......

(No tender required)

Try owning 7 bikes without one...and don't bring up that expensive, light battery that doesn't like the cold 

[radodrill]

The plugs were bone dry when I pulled them out (I had tried starting several times before removing them). The fuel is the same tank I put it away with about 2 months ago. I meant to add stabilizer to is but didn't get around to it... is 2 months enough to make the fuel go bad?

I keep my battery on a tender inside the house through the winter. I've been taking it out and installing it each time I try to start the bike.

Dry plugs indicates that you're not getting enough (or any) fuel into the engine; thus it can't start.  Do you have an inline fuel filter? if so, get rid of it as they can overly restrict fuel flow.  Also, check that the valve clearances are in spec; tight intakes can result in fuel delivery problems.  If all else, the carbs may be due for a good cleaning.

Fuel can go bad and become gummy and/or turn into varnish.  How long it takes depends on composition, additives, how old it was when you bought it, etc. but generally it's recommended not to store unstabilized fuel for more than a few months.

[robfriedenberger]

Low grade gas + winter blend = Junk fuel

Pull the carb, pull the jets clean them, reinstall set to pri crank it over for a few seconds.

[adidasguy]

Have you tried starter fluid? If she kicks over with that then explore your fuel - like is it turned on? Did you try prime? Lines pinched or reversed?

[JAS6377]

Just for shiggles, I'd check the tank petchicken, too. The only reason I suggest that is purely NOT from experience lol.

[Leadberry]

If everybody had a GOOD battery......

(No tender required)

Try owning 7 bikes without one...and don't bring up that expensive, light battery that doesn't like the cold 

I don't see the point in dropping the money on a "premium" battery when a cheapo battery tender will extend the life of a regular one just fine.  The battery on my bike is 5 years old and works just fine.  What's the secret?  $15 Wally World special battery tender.