My gs450L starter motor does not respond

**dennco2** · 03-19-2021, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by tom203

Get a used one....here’s a list of bikes that shared this starter motor

I was able to buy another used starter with the same model number on Ebay. It definitely ran at a higher rpm with 12 volts ... than my old one. It definitely did not try to torque out of my hand when tested. Anyway, I installed it and put the rest of the bike back together .... and charged the old battery up to it's peak showing 12.88 volts. This poor bike hasn't been started in over 1.5 years. It finally started after lots of cranking. The starter/battery combo was slightly weak with so-so crank speed. I've seen way better on other bikes.

Anyway, I just took it on a short ride. It ran fine as long as I kept the rpms up over idle. My idle adjust knob is stuck. Also, on deceleration I started to hear a howling sound come and go ... and started to suspect the starter clutch hanging up intermittently? Have other's had that type problem?? If that is my problem .... how to fix??

Other than those problems, I really enjoyed riding this bike again after sitting so long!! 36 years old and still trying to hang in there generally speaking. 2 years ago, I had rebuilt the carbs (twice to get it right) and had a smooth idle and rpm acceleration and shut down. Don't have that now, but I'm going to ride some more and see if that problem clears up just by running. I would hate to have to take those carbs off AGAIN and blow all those little passageways as before!! But I'll do it ..... later if needed and recommended by others in this group.

**cowboyup3371** · 03-19-2021, 08:40 PM

You will want to check your charging system first and make sure it’s running correctly. Check these settings with a multimeter at the battery and report back here

Key off
Key on
While cranking
While running at idle
While running at 4000rpm
Key off

**rphillips** · 03-20-2021, 09:58 AM

Many here will probably disagree, but about a half can of Seafoam in the gas sure can't hurt. What you got to lose?

**tom203** · 03-20-2021, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by rphillips

Many here will probably disagree, but about a half can of Seafoam in the gas sure can't hurt. What you got to lose?

I hope he gets lucky like this...but if carbs weren?t completely drained two years ago ,or he didn?t use ethanol fuel ...carb fun awaits!

**dennco2** · 03-20-2021, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by cowboyup3371

You will want to check your charging system first and make sure it?s running correctly. Check these settings with a multimeter at the battery and report back here

Key off
Key on
While cranking
While running at idle
While running at 4000rpm
Key off

The GS450 was extremely hard to start and I used up most of the bike battery trying to get it started. Then I jumped my Dodge Van battery to the bike battery and tried several crank attempts, till the engine started. After I knew I could get an engine start ... I disconnected the Van battery. Then I discovered the right cylinder was not firing ... so I pulled the spark plug out and cleaned it and re-installed and then got both cylinders firing!.... and then I was able to hold a decent 1,200 rpm idle with a slight amount of throttle .... then I opened the throttle for 4,000 but the rpms hung there and higher till I turned off the ignition! After restart, idle was resumed but same result going to 4,000. The engine is hard to start ... with choke totally off and throttle barely above idle or it just cranks. When grounding the plugs to the cylinder heads, the spark looked weak and intermittent ... especially for the right side cylinder. Yesterday, I got a short ride out of it and all seemed good ... till I started hearing the howling sound which I am guessing is an intermittent problem with the starter clutch. Today I wouldn't want to even try to ride it.

Anyway, I was able to get some battery and charging numbers ... which don't look too good either. Any advice is welcome.

Key Off .....13.14 volts
key On ....... 12.12 volts
while cranking ... 9.96
running at idle .... 12.40
running at 4,000 .... 12.95
key off ...... 12.46

**Rich82GS750TZ** · 03-20-2021, 06:14 PM

You?re not charging. At all.

Read my Charging System sorted thread linked in my signature. It?s a typical story. You?re in good company.

Also, if your carbs were sitting for 2 years with ethanol gas in them, proper cleaning is in order. Proper clean means a full strip and dip. Not just blowing carb cleaner through the passages. CV carb rebuild tutorial can be found on BikeCliffs Website.

you may have an air leak in the intake intake boots causing hanging idle.

**cowboyup3371** · 03-20-2021, 10:36 PM

Rich is right; your charging system is in serious need of testing/troubleshooting. Follow the guide in his signature that another member developed and start going through the required maintenance

**dennco2** · 03-21-2021, 01:00 AM

Yes, I have a lot of work to do to get this running right. Against my better judgement, I took this bike out for a couple mile ride. I had the hanging rpm problem again but somewhat controlled by being in gear and I got that howling noise after revving over 4,000 rpms then decelerating engine revs. I now suspect my cam chain tensioner is the problem, so I printed out a solution from an old poster on this GS forum. Lots to learn and lots to do!

**dennco2** · 03-22-2021, 09:41 PM

With great advice offered here in this forum ... I now have solved my starting problem, so will close this Topic thread. Now that it starts again, I NOW realize I have other issues which I will attempt to deal with one at a time ,,, like cam chain adjustment and clean the carbs (AGAIN) as well as figure out why it's not charging the battery .... and attend to any air leaks. Maybe one last question here .... does the cam chain tensioner have to come OFF to reset and readjust tension? I couldn't compress the plunger rod very far inwards when I had it out and now wish I took it apart for inspection, etc.

**Redman** · 03-23-2021, 04:56 AM

Some comments:

- Barley Barley charging. Yes, you are going to have hard starting, and maybe not get it started to get back home.
Yes, do the stator checks, and other charging system checks.

- Howling, you say. Most often cam chain tensioner problems with the chain being loose are described as "slapping" noises.
"Growling" or "howling" are often the starter motor clutch not releasing so are driving the starter motor way way faster it ever is suppose to go (and will come apart).

**Gorminrider** · 03-23-2021, 11:33 AM

Maybe one last question here .... does the cam chain tensioner have to come OFF to reset and readjust tension? I couldn't compress the plunger rod very far inwards when I had it out and now wish I took it apart for inspection, etc.

RTFM. The cam chain tensioner is self-adjusting. They are reliable and don't often need removal and "inspection", unless, most commonly, the shaft-lock bolt drips a bit of oil...There are many threads here about the cam-chain tensioner....
use shop manual and Search to clarify. There IS a way to reset the self-adjustment but it pre-supposes correct installation and operation- Momentarily Turn the big knurled knob a small amount on a running bike. This releases the tension temporarily. Let go and thereafter forget about it.

**dennco2** · 05-03-2021, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by cowboyup3371

You will want to check your charging system first and make sure it?s running correctly. Check these settings with a multimeter at the battery and report back here

Key off
Key on
While cranking
While running at idle
While running at 4000rpm
Key off

I finally got out to my gs450 again to check the charging voltages and was surprised the numbers looked way better than the last time I checked. I did not get all the voltages ... but got 14.65 at 4,000 rpms and 13.25 at slightly above idle ... at 2,000. My bike does not run well at idle until really warmed up.

I cleaned the 3 magnets in the flywheel ... and the 5 male/female connectors pins to the R/R that I had previously missed when cleaning the wire harness. I also crimped the female connectors slightly to improve the fit to the male pins. Anyway, now I am getting 2 more volts going to the R&R than before and now not running down the battery.

Because of the various technical issues with this bike, I did not ride it for almost 2 years and I am still trying to decide if I need to clean the carbs (again) to get 100% performance. Slowly gathering confidence that it won't leave me stranded somewhere and I'm still doing short local rides. I bought a SH775 R&R but now will probably use that on my Suzuki GR650 which definitely has a charging problem! My mechanic skills are extremely marginal but have been learning quite a bit with help from this GSR group!

My gs450L starter motor does not respond

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