Hey folks, back again with another bike issue. Tried starting my bike this morning and it made a very ugly sound. The best way to describe it is a loud clunk. This is also followed with a sort of buzzing sound that I think is the fuel pump? The clunky noise has me really worried though. Any idea what this might be? Am I looking at a major repair bill? My bike is a 2005 gs500f.
Thanks as always.

The GS500 is carbureted so no fuel pump.

Does this sound occur only when you press the starter button?

Since you heard a buzzing sound, I'm guessing the starter motor is still working and probably the starter clutch has failed.

Does it sound like this in my video?

No, it doesn't sound like that. It sounds like a clunk... Like, metal on metal bashing. The buzzing sound is not loud like that.

And. Yes, it only happens when I try to start it with the button, and in neutral.

ummm another take on the sound...

is it a bit like if someone had a small spanner INSIDE the case and it goes 'thwack' on the internal walls? .. followed by a 'taktaktaktaktaktaktak' (really fast!) ?... dead or dying or low voltage battery

It definitely sounds like something is thwacking against something else. I'll try a battery.

Try jump starting your bike from a switched off car. If it starts it is probably the battery. Mine used to do this when the battery was on the way out.

Thanks for the advice, much easier than trickle charging.

Quote from: Twisted on September 22, 2013, 05:39:21 PM
Try jump starting your bike from a switched off car. If it starts it is probably the battery. Mine used to do this when the battery was on the way out.

The caveat here is that if he jump starts it with the car running he'll be taking a visit to the burn unit.

So if you do take this option - DO NOT charge it with the car running.

If things in the engine are turning, the battery is OK and no need to jump start.

If things are dead or the starter relay clicks of buzzes, then battery is low.

A video of the sound would help. But based on other's opinions, it sounds like the starter gear may be coming unbolted from the magnet rotor.

I'd suggest draining oil and take a look in the left side of the motor. You can briefly hit the starter with the oil out and cover off to see what happens and listen for the sound. Only for a second. No more.

Quote from: Dr.McNinja on September 22, 2013, 11:09:19 PM

Quote from: Twisted on September 22, 2013, 05:39:21 PM
Try jump starting your bike from a switched off car. If it starts it is probably the battery. Mine used to do this when the battery was on the way out.

The caveat here is that if he jump starts it with the car running he'll be taking a visit to the burn unit.

So if you do take this option - DO NOT charge it with the car running.

I thought I made that pretty clear with the switched off car comment 

Quote from: adidasguy on September 22, 2013, 11:16:18 PM
If things in the engine are turning, the battery is OK and no need to jump start.

If things are dead or the starter relay clicks of buzzes, then battery is low.

A video of the sound would help. But based on other's opinions, it sounds like the starter gear may be coming unbolted from the magnet rotor.

I'd suggest draining oil and take a look in the left side of the motor. You can briefly hit the starter with the oil out and cover off to see what happens and listen for the sound. Only for a second. No more.

The starter can sometimes turn the engine for a few revolutions then clank when the battery has low charge. This happened to mine. OP would be better off starting simple and seeing if it is his battery before draining oil and undoing engine parts. that can be done when this is ruled out

+ 1 on Twisted's comments.  I experienced same thing when my battery was on the way out as well.

- Bboy

Quote from: Twisted on September 23, 2013, 03:43:15 AM

Quote from: Dr.McNinja on September 22, 2013, 11:09:19 PM

Quote from: Twisted on September 22, 2013, 05:39:21 PM
Try jump starting your bike from a switched off car. If it starts it is probably the battery. Mine used to do this when the battery was on the way out.

The caveat here is that if he jump starts it with the car running he'll be taking a visit to the burn unit.

So if you do take this option - DO NOT charge it with the car running.

I thought I made that pretty clear with the switched off car comment 

You did, I just decided to ignore it for whatever reason. 

Didn't have time to get anything done today. I'll try jumping it tomorrow and will let ya know what happens. With the car off. So I don't die. On a side note, I'm running under glow straight from the battery. I'm sure there's a more efficient way of doing this, but what is it?