I have a 2003 Gs500 that won't start. I figure it might be the solenoid and I just ordered one that'll be in a couple of days. I figure this because when I go to start it, it just gives off one click. The battery is fine lots of juice. We tried bump starting it but the rear locks up. Tried this in 1st through to the 4th gear and still locked up. When trying to bump start it jumped onto it for quick weight in the back but still locked up. Tonight we pulled out the spark plugs to see if the engine will rotate when moving the bike in gear. Again 1st-4th gear still the rear wheel locked up. I'm hoping the engine isn't seized but if anyone can help me out that would be great. This is my first bike and I have no knowledge. My plan now is to try the solenoid when it comes in. Thanks for reading this post

More info required:

Was the bike running and shifting ok last time it was used? How long ago was that?

What is the mileage?

Is your oil level ok?

Don't try any more bump starts, the engine should have turned freely with the plugs removed.

Try putting the bike on the center-stand and taking off the circular right side cover to access to the
ignition rotor bolt.

With the plugs removed and the bike in neutral you should be able to turn the engine pretty easily
(clockwise only!) with with a wrench on the rotor bolt. Don't force it, it shouldn't take a lot of muscle
to turn over.

Try this and report back, I'll check in tomorrow after work.

Thanks chris900f. I have shift work until Sunday night I can't do anything till then as the bike is at my buddy's. Oil is clean level is good. Mileage 22000km. Last ran in April and had the carb cleaned professionally. Didn't drive it only had it started. It was just a couple days ago that I finally wanted to get it out for a ride. As far as shifting goes I haven't driven it myself I bought it in the off season (during the winter) for a cheaper deal

Is the oil level possibly too high? I would change the oil as a matter of course on any bike I bought used, and while you have it empty of oil, pull the spark plugs, put it in neutral, and see if you can turn the engine by hand. Also, measure the amount of "oil" you drain out. My guess is it's like 5-6 quarts.

Just so you can chase the logic, and for posterity's sake on this forum, the idea is that possibly/likely the petcock can be leaking (or if it's been changed to manual and left on) and while it sat up, fuel leaked into the crankcase by way of overflowing the carbs and leaking into the cylinders and into the crankcase. Then you went to start it, and it won't turn the engine over because it's hydrolocked. The starter is insufficient to turn the hydrolocked engine or break anything, but with leverage of 4th gear bump starting likely is sufficient to turn the crank enough to bend or break a connecting rod.

So what you want to do is eliminate the oil as a blocker and then try to gently turn the engine over by hand to see whether it can turn freely. If so, put the right amount of new oil in (and new filter) and see if it'll turn with the starter (plugs out). Then put the plugs back in and see if it will start.

Once you sort out getting it started again, presuming the issue was it was hydrolocked due to fuel leakage, then you will need to immediately address the root cause: most likely leaking petcock.

If the engine won't turn freely by hand with no oil and no plugs in it, then you have a mechanical seizure in the engine, like a broken connecting rod or broken timing chain and/or a bent valve stem so the valve is against the piston etc. In this case, your only choice is to begin to tear down the engine a piece at a time from the top until you find the issue.

FYI there are other issues that can cause a "click" and no start but the locking rear wheel when trying to bump start is the dead giveaway that the engine is seized. For future reference, I'd avoid ever trying to bump start if you can confirm battery level is high and the starter refuses to turn at all. You can use a multimeter to measure the voltage on the load side of the starter relay to verify it is closing, and verify therefore power is getting to the starter. Then if the engine won't turn it's either a bad stater or a locked engine.

Good news everyone! Got the bike bump started. Took plugs out and stood the bike up and got the engine to move freely. It came down to the starter having a problem so I will buy a new one of those. Thanks for the help otherwise😁 take care everyone very happy with my first bike