starting

[larryd]

my 1982 gs 650 doe not start after i sits a few days ,if i use starting fluid it starts and runs fine. have check and i have fuel to carbs when it does not strt . any places to look?

[tkent02]

It's in here somewhere:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

You probably have a lot of catching up on maintenance to do.

[tom203]

my 1982 gs 650 doe not start after i sits a few days ,if i use starting fluid it starts and runs fine. have check and i have fuel to carbs when it does not strt . any places to look?

Do you understand the correct way to use " choke" knob or lever??? and what climate are you and your bike in?

[larryd]

starting

I HAVE TRIED THE CHOKE BUT it did not help it is 80 degrees here. i did notice when i put a spark plug on one of the wires and grounded to the engine it did not seem t to have a spark , but then all of a sudden it would. it takes a least 3 days to a week for the not starting problem to start.

[Guest]

Have you tried to prime your float bowls after it sits a few days?
Prime is a setting on your petcock. The gas may be evaporating in your bowls.

[Steve]

The first thing to do is GET RID OF THE STARTING FLUID.

Next, I would recommend getting caught up on carb cleaning (with new o-rings) and valve adjustment.

.

[Redman]

Next time it sits for the week or so, before trying to start it, put the battery on a small charger (1 amp) for an hour or two. See if that makes a difference.
You could have a marginal battery (or marginal charging system), and after a couple weeks that battery isn't strong enough. May sound like it is cranking okay, but maybe its not really and battery voltage is low enough that ignition system isn't working well.


.

[tom203]

I HAVE TRIED THE CHOKE BUT it did not help it is 80 degrees here. i did notice when i put a spark plug on one of the wires and grounded to the engine it did not seem t to have a spark , but then all of a sudden it would. it takes a least 3 days to a week for the not starting problem to start.

OK, as Redman said, might just be battery-losing its charge after a few days of sitting. Got a multimeter? battery should still read > 12.5 volts before you commence cranking. If its too low, you'll get an erratic spark even if it keeps cranking away.
As a reminder, if you use "choke" do not apply any throttle input- even in 70's , mine needs full "choke" if it's stone cold- but it starts instantly

[Guest]

+1 on the prime and battery check.

Does this one have the choke lever? Try tightening the screw on the choke lever. I had a problem where it would loosen up, and then it wouldn't stay at 100% choke, causing it not to start.