81' gs750L Having trouble starting??

[jmbpainting]

I recently purchased this bike and do not have an owners manual for it. I've been on Harleys most of my life and by no means am I a "mechanic".
My first question is how is this bike supposed to be started when cold?? I see it has a prime option on the petcock along with the choke but wondered if I'm starting it properly?? I know that the guy I bought the bike from replaced the fuel line for the primer with a "hose" that has a big kink in it. Obviously I need to replace it with one that doesn't kink (duh). I've read on this site about in line filters and how they can restrict the engine?? I have one on the bike now and it doesn't seem to be dirty at all. Last but not least, when trying to start the bike it has good spark and turns over well but won't fire? Could it be the kinked primer hose, petcock, or a vacuum leak?? Or better(worse) yet all of the above.

Thanks in advace to any responses!!

Jay

[moto_dan]

Typical starting procedure for most stock GS's is:
1. Put petcock on prime for about 10 seconds if it's been sitting for a while to fill the carb bowls then return to Run position.
2. Full choke(actually it is a fuel enrichening mechanism) no throttle
3. Push Starter button and it should fire.
This is assuming that all things are in proper working order.

There is not a separate line for prime. The lines from your petcock are a fuel line(the larger of the two) and a vacuum line that connects to your intake that activates the diaphram(using engine vacuum) in the petcock allowing fuel to flow when in Run or Res. position. The prime position manually overides the diaphram allowing fuel to flow without the engine vacuum from the intake.

If the kink is in the vacuum line then it may restrict the vacuum enough not to allow the proper working of the diaphram and obviously if it is the fuel line kinked then fuel flow is probably limited. Good luck.

Another thing I and that is both my GS's like a fully charged battery. I've spent tooooo much time chasing suspected fuel related problems only to have them magically repair themselves after bringing the battery up to snuff.

[jmbpainting]

I replaced the "kinked" vacuum hose coming out of the petcock with a new one and charged the battery. I pulled out the choke turned petcock to prime and hit the starter and it started. However, I panicked a little pushed the choke in too far and turned the petcock back to on and the bike stalled. It seemed as if the choke was "choking" the bike and I tried to keep it running with the throttle but it cut out?? Did I do something wrong here??? I'm not sure if the choke was the issue or the fact I switched the petcock to on that stalled the bike?? Or maybe its neither?? Please help me!! The sun is shining and my bike won't start!! [-o<

[bobewing]

Have you tried cleaning the carbs? I only use the prime option the first time bike is started in spring,or when run out of gas.
81 GS1000L