Hi, I've got an issue with my 02 gs500e. I bought it end of march, apparently hadn't run for quite some time but started well. A week after, it wouldn't start. I could hear the starter trying, but the engine wouldn't start (I originally thought it was the rain..). eventually the batterie died, we managed to bumpstart it, brought it to the garage, the guy told me it was definitely the starter motor (it wasn't), but I got it serviced, carbs all cleaned and everything.
The bike was all fine until a few days ago, when the problem started again. all lights are off, the usual, but in neutral or first gear, choke or not, it doesn't want to start. it wasn't raining, and it started fine on colder days. it also has more than half a tank of petrol. I have no idea what it could be, any help would be much much appreciated ! thanks a lot

Quote: but I got it serviced, carbs all cleaned and everything.

What all was included in that service? Right off the bat I'd say either your battery needs replaced and / or your valves need checked.

And welcome to the site man!

Could be any of a hundred different issues.  In order to figure it out you'll (or your mechanic will) need to diagnose the problem by performing several checks and tests.  The description you gave doesn't strongly indicate one thing or another.

Are you thinking about doing your own motorcycle repair?  Maybe you just need a different mechanic?

The symptoms say plenty to me.

Get the charging system checked and the battery load tested......by a different mechanic 

Hmmmm yes.. start with the easy checks and work through to the tricky stuff...

When you say won't start. . Goes r-ruur ruur r u u u r. ... or turns over like normal and just won't get fuel ignition ... or something else.... ?

"Half a tank of fuel" .. measured how? ... you put over 10 litres of fresh fuel into a empty tank? ..  or you looked in there thru the gas cap and you can see fuel sloshing a bit over that little hump? (BTW that is NOT half full!)

The specific info/identification of issues that occur when "bike won't start" will help narrow the field a lot!

Then just ride it 1/2 as often (the 1/2 the times it does start)


Cookie


Sorry, just had to

Hi, Thanks for all the quick replies !!
The mechanic told me he refilled the battery with new water, I didn't really get any details to be honest, I didn't really ask.
Wouldn't be checking the valves part of the service? since he pretty much took my engine apart..
I most probably wouldn't do the work myself as I might mess things up even more, but this garage as always been sorting me out quick, it's just that one guy that seemed a bit too sure (Itrusted him since he owned a gs too)
I believe there is more than half a tank since I only had done about 23 miles since the last stop at the station.
I couldn't really tell you more about what happens when I try to start it i'm afraid, but I can tell you that after leaving it for a couple of days, it started first time in the afternoon, would start in the evening but would die straight after, 3 times, and then started when I put it on prime. this morning it started so quick it surprised me.. I don't really understand.. would it be worth to just get a new battery? (I wouldn't pay for installation, I've got a friend who can do that for me)

Thanks again everybody !
P.S: "twocool", your post was a success haha

Quote from: MickieP on April 28, 2016, 11:09:29 AM
would it be worth to just get a new battery? (I wouldn't pay for installation, I've got a friend who can do that for me)

Not without getting the original load tested

Take it to a decent bike shop or fast-fit. They will probably do it for nothing.