1979 Suzuki GS1000E trouble starting when sitting for a few weeks

[vico]

I have trouble starting my 1979GS1000E when it has been sitting for a few weeks or more. I pull the manual choke out and it just turns over and over for a long time then it starts to run but not smooth until it warms up. After warming it up it will run great. If I try the next day it fires right up and runs great, even after a week it fires right up and runs great. I have good gas, changed the plugs, have electronic ignition but it seems to do the same after sitting for a few weeks or more. Took forever to start after sitting all winter with a battery tender on it. I had dropped it off at a local shop that works on vintage bikes last year before putting it up for the winter and they said they had to adjust the air idle screws, said they were way off. also said they dropped the bowls and flushed although he said they were clean. When the bike is run after the initial start it runs strong. The bike is all stock except for electronic ignition.

[Nessism]

After a week or so sitting the fuel in the float bowls evaporates so you need to use the petcock "prime" feature to fill them again for easy starting. Just don't forget to turn the petcock back to "run" once you get the bike going.

[vico]

Thanks Ed, I will try that. Should I leave it on prime until it starts? And should I also choke it when using prime?

Vic

[Burque73]

When was the last valve clearance check, Vico? If the clearance is below spec it can be hard to start, especially when it's cold. Also, you mentioned it has good gas. Is it non ethanol gas? I think using only non etanol gas has made a difference for me. If I have to use regular unleaded with the typical 10% ethanol, and it's likely to sit for a while, I try to add some Startron enzyme stuff to stabilize it.

I'm always impressed how quickly my 850 fires up, even after sitting a few weeks. I prime the carbs for a minutes or so, full choke, crank for two seconds and it fires up every time. It only needs the choke for about as long as it takes to get my ear plugs in, helmet and gloves on.

[rphillips]

Pri. opens the petcock manually, just for a couple of min., all you are doing is refilling the carbs. Then back to run. Start with choke as usual.

[vico]

Roger,
Not sure when the last valve clearance was done. I use non ethanol gas. After it sits for a while I am going to try the prime, never have used that.

Thanks for the quick replies

Vic

[Nessism]

Roger,
Not sure when the last valve clearance was done.
Vic

Wrong answer here. You want to damage your engine from neglect?

[rphillips]

Yep, tight valves cause burnt valves & burnt valves aren't a cheap fix. Embarrassed to say, been there done that.

[chuck hahn]

PRI and count to 30. Put back to ON position. Full choke and start bike.