Cold Night, No Start

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • snackie
    • Feb 2026
    #1

    Cold Night, No Start

    My GS650G has been running and starting fine. It's gotten into the low 40's at night here in Baltimore and the bike has started with one push of the button. However, last night, it got down to about 40 degrees and the bike would not start. I have fuel in the tank and a good charge on a 6 month old battery.

    Any immediate thoughts?

    I'm gonna go back and clean up some of my connections and see if that helps.

    Thanks!
    Tags: None
    • Guest
      #2
      If you find you have spark I would pull the choke out the entire way and try to start it. Do not touch the throttle.

        Comment

        • snackie
          #3
          I did choke it but did pull the throttle too. I'll check the plugs for spark and clean up my connections at the coils.

          Thanks!

            Comment

            • tkent02
              Forum LongTimer
              Past Site Supporter
              • Jan 2006
              • 35571
              • Near South Park
              #4
              Opening the throttle completely negates the function of the choke. Leave it closed.
              http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

              Life is too short to ride an L.

                Comment

                • chuck hahn
                  Forum LongTimer
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • May 2009
                  • 25918
                  • Norman, Oklahoma
                  #5
                  Yes on leaving the throttle alone..even once it has been running and is warm. GSs will not start if your twisting and cranking.
                  MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                  1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                  NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                  I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                    Comment

                    • tom203
                      Forum Guru
                      Past Site Supporter
                      • Aug 2010
                      • 8925
                      • Norway,Maine
                      #6
                      Yes to choke advice. And if your riding season is coming to end, put Stabil in tank AND run bike ( half hour ride) so stuff permeates carbs. Wake up will be much easier come springtime.
                      1981 gs650L

                      "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

                        Comment

                        • Skooby12885
                          #7
                          This happens in FL too

                          Past 2 nights have been a little chilly for my liking and apparent for my 650gl's too. I leave her outside to save the hastle of opening the garage and so on... but today and yesterday she just didn't want to wake up. Yesterday she gave me a hard time, today I was inclined to check her pulse. It only got into the 60's at best...

                          What are some things I can do to keep this from happening daily? Charlie's all I got man

                            Comment

                            • tom203
                              Forum Guru
                              Past Site Supporter
                              • Aug 2010
                              • 8925
                              • Norway,Maine
                              #8
                              "..only got into the 60's at best... "

                              Hey, cheer up, it didn't make it to 32 degrees today (yet) here!
                              Of course, you've cleaned your carbs or at least are thinking about it?
                              Make sure your "choke" is operating fully at carb end-sometimes cables get stretched or misadjusted. The "choke" system draws up a seperate passage in each carb- pickup is near bottom of each fuel bowl where sediment can interfere.
                              1981 gs650L

                              "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

                                Comment

                                • chuck hahn
                                  Forum LongTimer
                                  Past Site Supporter
                                  • May 2009
                                  • 25918
                                  • Norman, Oklahoma
                                  #9
                                  I agree on checking the bowls..At the bottom of the hole the pick up tube fits into is a small hole. Be sure its open WELL. Poke it out with a wire, run carb spray and air thru it till its nice and clear.

                                  A connection for a battery tender will assure its always fully charged in the cold weather too. Check the fluid and top off with DISTILLED water if needed. I got right to the UPPER LEVEL line on mine.
                                  MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                                  1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                                  NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                                  I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                                    Comment

                                    Previous template Next
                                    Working...