Will my '81 550L be ready for spring?

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  • jhibs
    #1

    Will my '81 550L be ready for spring?

    Despite my sincerest hopes, the bike fairy did not visit my garage and magically fix my GS over the winter. I may have some work cut out for me if I'm gonna be able to get out and enjoy the nice weather when it rolls around.

    For a couple months or so before I put it up for the winter, my 1981 550L would only start once. After shutting the engine off or stalling out trying to start, I would have to wait over an hour before it would start up again. Eventually, the bike wouldn't start at all.

    Carbs have been removed and cleaned; they were in great shape as was the rest of the fuel delivery system.

    I changed the spark plugs, which were black and sooty.

    All the new plugs are getting a spark, although the two on the right side of the bike (if sitting astride it) might be a little weaker -- orange instead of blue and not as fat.

    With a spray of starting fluid yesterday it finally sprang to life, and I started it 3 subsequent times throughout the day (maybe still getting residual starting fluid fumes). Today though, no dice.

    Does anyone have a guess as to what's going on?

    Also, the choke won't stay pulled out, it retracts as soon as I let go. How do I fix this?

    Thanks much for any and all advice.
    Tags: None
    • Billy Ricks
      #2
      Have you run valve clearances or done a compression check?

        Comment

        • DimitriT
          Forum Guru
          Past Site Supporter
          • Sep 2005
          • 9897
          • USA
          #3
          put a voltmeter across your battery and check voltage

            Comment

            • tconroy
              #4
              Originally posted by jhibs
              Despite my sincerest hopes, the bike fairy did not visit my garage and magically fix my GS over the winter. I may have some work cut out for me if I'm gonna be able to get out and enjoy the nice weather when it rolls around.

              For a couple months or so before I put it up for the winter, my 1981 550L would only start once. After shutting the engine off or stalling out trying to start, I would have to wait over an hour before it would start up again. Eventually, the bike wouldn't start at all.

              Carbs have been removed and cleaned; they were in great shape as was the rest of the fuel delivery system.

              I changed the spark plugs, which were black and sooty.

              All the new plugs are getting a spark, although the two on the right side of the bike (if sitting astride it) might be a little weaker -- orange instead of blue and not as fat.

              With a spray of starting fluid yesterday it finally sprang to life, and I started it 3 subsequent times throughout the day (maybe still getting residual starting fluid fumes). Today though, no dice.

              Does anyone have a guess as to what's going on?

              Also, the choke won't stay pulled out, it retracts as soon as I let go. How do I fix this?

              Thanks much for any and all advice.
              Pull your choke out and turn it to the right.If Iam correct it will lock into place where ever you want it to.

                Comment

                • jhibs
                  #5
                  Thanks for the tips, guys!

                  I've been staring at the thing for days, and I would have never figured out that there was the piece at the bottom of the choke lever that could be tightened up; it did the trick.

                  The battery is good, so that's not where the problem is.

                  I haven't checked either the valve clearances or compression. Does anyone have any methods that don't require special tools, or will I need a compression meter that screws into the spark plug hole? Thanks again, this forum rocks.


                  Oh, I almost forgot to add: GO GATORS!!!!

                    Comment

                    • tconroy
                      #6
                      When you pull your choke lever out and turn it to the right will it stay now?

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                        • jhibs
                          #7
                          yeah; the actual knob and shaft of the choke lever don't turn, but at the base of the shaft there's a ring that can be tightened or loosened to make the choke harder or easier to pull out and it also keeps the choke from falling when I let go. Thanks for the tip!

                            Comment

                            • jhibs
                              #8
                              Originally posted by Billy Ricks
                              Have you run valve clearances or done a compression check?
                              Does anyone have any ideas for an easy/quick way to check these things?

                              The engine will now fire up, but quickly dies under full choke and/or full throttle. Does this sound like a compression issue to you all?

                              Thanks again

                                Comment

                                • tconroy
                                  #9
                                  Originally posted by jhibs
                                  Does anyone have any ideas for an easy/quick way to check these things?

                                  The engine will now fire up, but quickly dies under full choke and/or full throttle. Does this sound like a compression issue to you all?

                                  Thanks again
                                  Is you petcock working properly?When you start is do you put the choke on all the way?If i start mine wiht the choke on I cant touch the throttle or it will bog down till it warms up.Sounds like a fuel issue to me or vacum problem

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