Bike does not turn over !!!

[Nomak]

Hi,

I just bought the bike. Ran it a few times yesterday and today mornin when I turned the key over nuthin. The oil and neutral lights dont come on and when I press the starter button the engine does not turn over at all. I am pretty sure its somethin minor like a loose wire or something but I do not know where to start ... need help ... any ideas/suggestions on what I should do?

Thanks

[TheGoodGuy]

hehehe..

first check your battery.. if not jump it from a car (which should not be running).

second.. make sure your in neutral..

third.. take the MSF if you havent.. the first thing they teach is how to start.

Anycase, check the few interlocks.. 1. the right side handlebar red engine cut off switch. 2. CHeck that your not in gear. 3. Your clutch interlock (make sure the wire is in there). 4. If your in gear you can start by holding the clutch in. However your side stand must be up.

edit: check the fuse on the right side of the bike (its in a box that says fuse..) also check to make sure you actually turned on the bike not just unlocked your handlebar.

[smoker]

First check the battery voltage, either with a voltage tester or simple 12v test light.  It's possible, and quite easy, to put the key in the "P" position, which leaves the tail light lit (it's the farthest position the key will throw to.)
Anyway, if the battery's still good, and you still don't have neutral and oil lights, then you should probably start looking for loose wires.  If you remove the seat, you'll be able to see a good portion of the wiring.  Hope that helps a bit.

Gibb

oops... didn't see that other post... do all that stuff too... hehehehe    

[Nomak]

It's possible, and quite easy, to put the key in the "P" position, which leaves the tail light lit (it's the farthest position the key will throw to.)

Gibb

Yeah thats what I did. I am going to have to take the battery to walmart and have recharge or if its no good will prolly get another one.

[Rema1000]

One good way to recharge is to get the 15$ WalMart trickle charge (1.1A, I think).  If that's outside your budget, a less-good way, is that you can connect the m/c battery to a car battery using jumper cables (with the car not running) and leave it that way for a few minutes.  The difference in voltage between the dead bike battery and the good car battery should be only about a volt, so it won't charge extremely fast.  If the m/c battery gets warm to the touch, disconnect it and let it cool, then reconnect.  Once the batteries get to about the same voltage between the two of them, then neither battery will get warm when you connect the jumper cables.

The car battery should be strong enough to start the car again, even after charging the motorcycle battery.

Then again, it's not too hard to push-start a GS500.  I park in a parking ramp at work, so I have practiced bump starting as I roll out of work.  With my luck, I'm sure the practice will come in handy.
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[Diderich]

I prefer the push start and then ride for 45 minutes to charge the battery method...better than going to wal-mart...yech