'81 GS750L will not start... (I know this is probably the 100,00th post like this)

[tangysauce151]

So a friend of a friend recently gave me a 1981 GS750L. He told me that there was bad wiring somewhere on the bike. I have done a brief search on the forums already for help to no avail (I will do a more thorough search later tonight).

Anyway, I charged the battery and I turned the ignition to on, flipped the kill switch to run and hit the start button. Then nothing. The engine does not crank, the headlight does not dim, nothing happens.

I will be checking the wires later for a short or a ground (thought I'd get some responses here in the meantime).

Some particulars that I hope will help:

1. It has 13,000 miles
2. When the ignition is on the headlight turns on, however the turn signals, tail light, brake light and horn do not function
3. The bike had been sitting for a year under a carport.
4. I did change the oil and filter just prior to trying to start the bike
5. I have pulled in the clutch handle also when starting

Thank you

[Canman]

There should be a switch in the clutch handle. Pull in the clutch handle and then hit the starter button. See if that works.

[tangysauce151]

clutch handle

Thank you, yes I have tried pulling in the clutch handle as well.

[mortation]

Did you check all the fuses? Did you try and jump the bike by bypassing the start button?

[Guest]

Clean the kill switch. Go crazy with cleaning all connections and using dielectric grease on all of them. This includes all grounds and battery connections, solenoid, starter, headlight bucket................

[BassCliff]

Hey howdy hey!

Mr. tangysauce151,

Yet another free bike makes itself known. I should be so lucky. Anyway...

Let it be known that on this day you are hereby cordially and formally welcomed to the GSR Forum as a Junior Member in good standing with all the rights and privileges thereof. You have the right to ask silly questions that have been answered hundreds of times before, as long as you show us some pictures of your bike. :-D

The good folk here are teaching me to be a better motorcycle mechanic and a better motorcycle rider. Thanks for joining us.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
(The unofficial GSR greeter)