GS650E...doesn't want to start....Just rode it the other day though?! Bad Stator?

[bdgs650]

So my GS650E seems to have trouble starting after sitting for 2-3 days of not being used...even cold starts are beginning to be a major factor in getting it running...

After turning the gas on...

I pull the choke out all the way, push the start button, and most of the time get nothing but the bike trying to start. Occasionally it will start without giving me trouble. But I've found myself pushing starting the bike more often then I'd ever like to.

The battery seems like it has power, my headlight is on, the stator is trying to start the bike, but I just can't seem to get ignition. I don't suspect the plugs are bad either if I've been riding it on and off for the last couple weeks with this problem.

I tried push starting it today and it won't start even when I do that, and that has made it start everytime...

The only thing I can think of is the stator going bad and just not having enough cranking power to get any ignition.

I'm not mechanically inclined too much with motorcycles so you'll have to excuse my limited technical knowledge.

I had it started BRIEFLY after one of my push start attempts, but after a few minutes of idling the RPM's slowly died and it shut off.

I'm pretty frustrated as I just want to ride...Any ideas?

[DanTheMan]

So my GS650E seems to have trouble starting after sitting for 2-3 days of not being used...even cold starts are beginning to be a major factor in getting it running...

After turning the gas on...

I pull the choke out all the way, push the start button, and most of the time get nothing but the bike trying to start. Occasionally it will start without giving me trouble. But I've found myself pushing starting the bike more often then I'd ever like to.

The battery seems like it has power, my headlight is on, the stator is trying to start the bike, but I just can't seem to get ignition. I don't suspect the plugs are bad either if I've been riding it on and off for the last couple weeks with this problem.

I tried push starting it today and it won't start even when I do that, and that has made it start everytime...

The only thing I can think of is the stator going bad and just not having enough cranking power to get any ignition.

I'm not mechanically inclined too much with motorcycles so you'll have to excuse my limited technical knowledge.

I had it started BRIEFLY after one of my push start attempts, but after a few minutes of idling the RPM's slowly died and it shut off.

I'm pretty frustrated as I just want to ride...Any ideas?

First off, it's NOT the stator. The stator is a part of the charging system. Probably not the starter either, if it seems tobe cranking fast enough. It sounds to me like you've got a fuel problem. Is your air filter clean and oiled? Do you have an in-line filter preventing clear fuel flow from your tank to the carbs? Has the vacuum line come off at #2 carbuerator or at the petcock?
What bike do you have? Any of the above could be your problem, as well as the carbs just needing a good thorough cleaning if they've got gummy old gas deposits in them. Is your tank rusty, and bits of rust are clogging the screen on your petcock?
Again, it helps if you tell us what we're surmising problems on for troubleshooting purposes.

[bdgs650]

Well just tried it again...Got the bike to turn over and start up and once again the RPM's just died off and it didn't matter if I gave it a little gas it just gradually died and shut off.

The bike is a 1981 GS650E.

It's funny you mention carbs because I have been having trouble with the bike starting to bog out.

It started bogging only in 4th and 5th through the 4-5k RPM range, but lately it has been effecting my 3rd gear as well as now 3rd gear is bogging from about 5k-7k RPM's.

I haven't checked how clean the stock air intake is, and I haven't checked any of the vacuum lines. Back to the garage.

[Larry D]

More questions for you..

How long have you had the bike ? Have you done any maintenence to it ?

These bikes, especially ones that have sat for years, need some work to them for them to run properly.

My advise is to spend a few days reading everything you can on this site and educate yourself some concerning theissues with your bike. It's very difficult to diagnose the problems you're having without some background info.

[jbs80106]

First post symptoms do sound like a fuel issue. With my 650, esp when the weather is warmer in the summer, if I don't run her for a few days I usually have better luck putting the petcock in the 'prime' position for a few minutes before cranking to make sure there's fuel in the carbs.....might want to try that.

Second post, that you got it started and then it died isn't necessarily a sign of something wrong. If you've been cranking it for a while without getting it started you'll have drained the battery pretty good and it may not be charged enough to keep it running. It can regenerate voltage if in good condition and sitting....but continuous cranking will definate drain it....

Check the voltage on your battery first, if low, put on the trickle charger to get it up to power. Then try the prime position for a bit before you try to start it again.

DO NOT FORGET TO PUT IT IN SOME OTHER POSITION WHEN DONE. If you forget and leave it in the prime position very good chance you'll get gas in the oil and have to address that. Believe me, I've done that more than once.....

Report back. If you get it started, the run thru the stator papers to convince yourself on the health of the charging system.