Bike wont start

[Pinhy]

remember, we are talking about an 81 gs650g inline 4....

went to take the bike to work yesterday and it wouldnt start...tried again at lunch and it got close, but again no luck. its always been a cold-natured bike, and takes a couple minutes to start...but this was a few minutes each time. to the point of my battery getting weak.

it ran fine the day before...sat overnight and then wont start...

now the fun part of trying to describe what it is doing: it sounds like all the electric items are starting...and it sometimes tries to "turn over" and grab some gas....but just dies and then more of just cranking with no "firing" (words in quotes are for lack of knowing what i am really talking about).

could it be spark plugs being fouled? someone told me riding with the choke out can do that, and i usually do that for a couple minutes after i do get it started to keep it from stalling at the first light i come to.

havent tried it since lunch yesterday as i wasnt home till late. going to play with it tonight when i get home.

[Pinhy]

also...sort of on the same subject and just to clear my own mind: it does take regular motor-oil right?

EDIT: cap say s10w40....auto store agreed that is what i should get...

[LayinLo]

no mixing.

probably needs an oil with an API 'SJ' rating.


Have you tried push starting her and popping the clutch?

[Pinhy]

going to try the push start tonight...then take her out for a ride. it doesnt sound like the battery being dead though (until i have been cranking it for 5 minutes!)

have heard a couple different ways to push start....2nd gear clutch in, get going, drop it into first and let go of clutch right? ot can i just go from neutral?

[LayinLo]

yeah, or first and pop clutch

[Pinhy]

well, got home and gave a normal start a try....she almost cranked on the first attempt, and did on the second! i noticed i had left it on PRIME since yesterday at lunch time....wonder if that had something to do with it?

she was running a little rough though it seemed. i have a feeling it is the spark plugs being fouled as mentioned above. is there a way to just clean the tips of them off? i thought i remembered hearing you could spray something on spark plugs to help them stay clean??

[Clint]

Why prime? It's usually only for after storage when the carbs are dry. If your plugs are being fouled, it probably means you need carb work or your valvetrain is leaking oil.

30 weight oil is reeeeaaaally heavy for a motorcycle engine. Check your manual or elsewhere on this. It won't likely help your starting problem, but it'll turn over a lot easier.

To pop start it, don't bother trying to shift. Put it in first (second if the engine compression is causing the rear wheel to drag), hold the clutch, run, pop the clutch. MAKE SURE THE KEY IS ON. Don't ask how I know.

If it takes that long to fire with the battery charged, though, you likely won't get it to fire with the few seconds a pop-start offers. Sounds like you have a fuel or spark issue.

You won't foul the plugs much using the choke to warm it up. Only if you leave it on to aid idle. If you need to do that, the carb(s) need work. How old are the plugs? Old plugs not only get dirty, but the gap wears open. Eventually, you won't have enough juice to create a proper spark.

Try new plugs of the correct type and with the proper gap. Check fuel filters for cloggagenessation. Get the correct oil in 'er. Clean the carbs, synchronize them and tune them.

How's that for a bunch of random whatnot? Good luck.

[luv_my_quad16]

my quad wouldn't start up yesterday as well...(i haven't taken it out for a ride in two months tho!!) i had the choke on and tried starting it for a good 10 minutes and my battery started dying too. once i checked it over i noticed that there was some water in the gas tank. once i drained the tank and put new gasoline in it, it started like a charm! could that be a possibility w/ yours? hope it starts working better for you!

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

30 weight oil is reeeeaaaally heavy for a motorcycle engine. Check your manual or elsewhere on this. It won't likely help your starting problem, but it'll turn over a lot easier.

On that note, they've been selling me 20w50 oil (I use 'Zuki oil). The maual clearly states 10w40. I asked, and the guy behind the counter (who has NEVER steered me wrong on anything . . . and was even the second to last person to say, "Sir, please don't try to ride that bike home," just before I dropped it in the parking lot) said 20w50 is "what I want for a 600 Bandit."

I wonder what gives?

I plan on buying 10w40 next time I buy.

[Pinhy]

as i mentioned it is running now....

bought some 10w40 oil as it reads on the cap, but i think i am actually just going to take it to a shop and get it all tuned up and oil change. they can check the plugs and such. i would love to be able to do the list of things Rowdy mentioned, but i dont have the confidence to try all that myself. once someone else that knew what they were doing showed me, i am all about working on my own bike.

[Clint]

That's why we're here. Plugs and such are no sweat. I'd pay to have the carbs cleaned and synched, but you can easily do the rest. Ask and we'll be your guide.

[Pinhy]

on a 1981 bike?

[Clint]

Not that much has changed, and a number of us have been around at least that long. Not to mention the skill we have at digging up info online. No problemo, bud.

[Nexus242]

What about running some of that carb cleaner in the gas tank?? Remove your plugs clean them off with a mild wire brush regap them put some dielectric crap in the boot and see if that helps. If not then move into the carb cleaning and syncing. Remember your only keeping this bike till the M50 comes out in 1 or 2 months, right.

[Pinhy]

yes very true...so i dont want to put too much $$ into it...already got a new back tire...

but it has to make it up to daytona in march...and i would like it if it would start easier so im not there cranking away for 3 minutes in front of everyone

nexus you live in orlando right? how about heading over to work on my bike? haha

[Clint]

I like Seafoam for that.

[LayinLo]

Best in tank product is by Lucas. It's called "tune up in a bottle".

[Pinhy]

well...i was going to get a tune up soon so it would be running nice for bike week....but now with the M50 on the verge of coming out...may just hold off on that....let the next person who buys it from me deal with it!