Since she cranked over hydrolock is a non-issue. That's eliminated.

(Hydrolock gives you one partial rev and then eventual damage is done.)

First things first, get the battery issue sorted out.

Next check for spark; pull out your plugs, make sure they're not fouled or wet or anything (they should be a light tan), then crank it with the wires attacted to the plugs and the plugs grounded.  Make sure you can see a good spark in the spark gap.

If that is ok, check fuel.  I know little about carbs, but I do know there are numerous things that could cause something like this.  Take off the airbox and try spraying something flamable into the intake (IE starter fluid, WD40 or even propane from a blow touch) whiile cranking it.  If it sputters and trys to start, then fuel is your problem.

Finally, go to walmart and get a compression tester.  It's 20 bucks and in the automotive section.  Hook that bad boy up as per the directions and give her a crank.  It should probably read >100 and the 2 cylinders should be close.  If its really low or they are uneven, its probably a valve adjustment issue.

Quote from: LimaXray on April 13, 2006, 08:32:52 AM
First things first, get the battery issue sorted out.

as in get a new battery?

the rest may be beyond me right now ... but i'll see what i can do this weekend.

Yeah, get a new battery, charge it properly, and give it a go.  If you can't jump start it, I doubt the battery is going to solve anything, but you should at least eliminate it as a possible problem before moving on.

Do you have some basic tools? The things I listed are very easy to do and probably not much harder then changing your oil.  You should also get a shop manual if you don't already have one.  Don't worry, you can do it 

Houston we have a problem...

I just reread ol' MRDAN's first post.  He mentioned a slight decline and an oil/gas puddle.   big UH..OH.. 

#1 where was the oil leak from?  the carbs?   

if so. it would explain your symptoms and there is only one solution.  remove and clean your carbs.

If that bike sat on its side on an incline the oil would travel up the engine. if the valves were open (and ya know it was) oil would go in the carbs and in the exhaust.

Then it sat for 3 weeks  ....man.. the gas and oil would have gummed up.  Might as well buy the rebuild kit and get to work.

If you have no experience with the carbs but are willing to try it's very easy to do as long as your patient and don't lose any parts.
I'd be glad to help you out. you could have it done in one afternoon. 

If not don't try to start her and get her to a shop..

Quote from: 3imo on April 13, 2006, 09:27:59 AM#1 where was the oil leak from?  the carbs?   

yikes ... it fell on the right side, and it seemed like the oil was leaking out of where you put the oil in ... the oil cap is all coated.  since that would have been the lowest point (since that was basically resting on the ground) do you think it would have leaked to the carbs?  or just out past the oil cap?

as for the puddle ... i have a strong suspicion after yesterday that it was ONLY an oil puddle.  the gas tank is still full to the brim.  does that make a difference?

Quote from: MrDan on April 13, 2006, 09:33:45 AM

Quote from: 3imo on April 13, 2006, 09:27:59 AM#1 where was the oil leak from?  the carbs?   

yikes ... it fell on the right side, and it seemed like the oil was leaking out of where you put the oil in ... the oil cap is all coated.  since that would have been the lowest point (since that was basically resting on the ground) do you think it would have leaked to the carbs?  or just out past the oil cap?

as for the puddle ... i have a strong suspicion after yesterday that it was ONLY an oil puddle.  the gas tank is still full to the brim.  does that make a difference?

if it was inclined so the oil drained up, I'd bet on it.
easy check.

with the bike upright, (I recommend on centerstand to make it level) and on level ground.
connect a small tube to the carb reservior drain plug (I will find a pic and post)
unscrew the small screw and drain your reserviors.
if they have oil, I'd rebuild.

It is possible that draining the oil out of the reserviors might let the bike start and I am not sure how bad it would be to let her run like that. 
Hopefully someone will chime in with the pros and cons. 
I have run my bike on a gas/oil mix before. (emergency, backwoods, middle of nowhere,no other choice conditions) 
but that was before my last carb rebuild.

IMO if you drain the oil from the reservior and the bike runs ok, then run her as is.  but after 6 weeks it may have gummed up
and F**ked everything any way.

THank you KERRY!!

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=19160.0

guess i'll try that before i pay $$$$$ to have the bike towed.

thanks

I agree with 3imo that it probably is a fuel issue, unless something was physically damaged by the fall. 

Also make sure the gas in the tank is clean.  I would set the petcock to prime when you drain the carbs and let a few cups of gas flow through it so you clean everything out.  I'm no carb expert but this makes sense to me and is what I'd do.

If you need it to run to get it home, also try taking off the airbox and spraying some carb cleaner inside the carbs.  It may be just enough to get it running.

Quote from: LimaXray on April 13, 2006, 10:24:40 AM
If you need it to run to get it home, also try taking off the airbox and spraying some carb cleaner inside the carbs.  It may be just enough to get it running.

I actually store the bike at work so the only place I'd need to move it to is the shop.  Hopefully it doesnt come to that

Just buy this one:
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=378%2D1065&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=BE4F4B46C3BB45C782E4822E58B47589

It's a direct knockoff of the stock Yuasa battery that came with your bike. The thing ships dry if you don't pick it up from them directly. You can take it to almost any basic auto parts store and have them fill it up with the electrolytes for around $5 and all ready for you to charge. When I picked it up, they filled it for free for me. Been using it for over a year now with no problems. Best part is the price. When I have to buy a new one, I'll be buying this one again.

Update:  Got the battery in and started right up.  Noticing a few more quirks to my bike now, but that's to be expected with the winter she had.

Final question for now.  I was riding home Saturday.  On the cap beltway cruising around 70-75.  After about 20 minutes of that, I started to get some hesitation - like we get when we need to switch to reserve.  However, I was only 30 miles in to a full tank.  I got off and took back roads to where I park the bike and could not get it to happen again.  Any thoughts?  I'd hate to be tossed when if it bucks in a turn this weekend.

It's common fuel starvation.  The petcock can't flow enough fuel for extended periods of time on the highway when its set to 'on' or 'res'.  If it happens again, set it to 'pri' and that should fix your problem.

Quote from: LimaXray on May 22, 2006, 03:11:26 PM
It's common fuel starvation.  The petcock can't flow enough fuel for extended periods of time on the highway when its set to 'on' or 'res'.  If it happens again, set it to 'pri' and that should fix your problem.

Much appreciated.  I'll try that next time.  It was weird cause it's never happened to me before and I make that run fairly regularly (just not since my bike's been messed with).

Thanks

It seems some people have problems with it and some people don't.  I've never had an issue, but I know there are some people out there who put it on 'pri' whenever they get on the highway.  Its also often recommended that you practice switching to 'pri' at speed.

On the way home tonight I actually had it on Reserve ... switched it to On when it starting acting up and issue went away.  I was fortunate enough to learn how to switch at speed the first day I ever rode the bike.  Thought I had more range hahaha.