1980 GS450E wont start

[CycloneGS]

hey guys Im in need of some help. Over the winter I completely disassembled my bike, cleaned carbs, replaced o-ring in the carb and intake boots and all that, and put it back together. Now that its back together im working out some of the kinks. I installed a mac 2-1 as well.

When I first got it back together it fired right up, ran hot, and blued my new pipes... (I heard that there is some blue stuff to clean em with). After adjusting the pilot screw (2 screws out) and the idle, it was able to start with some trouble.

I rode it a few times and it one day it was very difficult to start. Once I got it started after about 5 min, I tried to ride 2 miles home and on the way it died. the choke was off, the idle was right at 1500, and while riding at 25 mph the bike lost all power! I was able to restart it by giving it lots of throttle and I had to give it a lot of throttle to keep it running. I noticed the headlight was dim too. It died again after 1 block and refused to start so I did the push start thing and I was able to limp home.

When I got it back to the garage I checked the starter wiring and it is intact. I found my intake boots clamps on the engine side of the carbs were not tight, so i tightened them. I then fiddled with the pilot screws and idle setting and still couldnt get it started so I put the screws back to 2 turns out and the idle adjustment is a big guess, I have no idea where its set.

Here are the problems:
-Spark plugs are wet with gas after not starting
-Fuel built up in the carbs after not starting with choke and throttle and I had to pull the drain screws off the bottom of the bowls. (there was a ton of gas in there)
-the started sometimes is hesitant when I push the button.

I havent had too much time to tinker yet, but I did recharge the battery with my trickle charger and nothing changed.

Do I have a bad ground somewhere?
Should the battery be grounded to the frame (it was just repainted)?

I seem to think my problem is electrical. I think that im getting plenty of air and fuel but my problem is my plugs wont ignite the fuel and then the more i crank it the more fuel is delivered and eventually just flooded to hell!

Where do I start guys?
Thanks in advance

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Since your frame was repainted and the battery's ground is on that freshly painted frame, it is not grounding well. Move the battery's ground to the bottom of the engine. Try that and let us know what happens.

 

[Guest]

Your first symptoms actually led me to think fuel tap if you hadn't checked it out, as in gummed up with old fuel etc.

If you didn't clean your fuel tap and tank like the carbs, it's possible that some of that gunk has gotten into your clean carbs and clogged them again...

 

[CycloneGS]

Fuel tap is new too!

I think the battery ground is most likely. I have no pictures of the bottom of my motorcycle during the teardown, does the ground just go from negative battery terminal to the bottom of the engine?

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Fuel tap is new too!

I think the battery ground is most likely. I have no pictures of the bottom of my motorcycle during the teardown, does the ground just go from negative battery terminal to the bottom of the engine?

That's how it is on my bike. There should be 2 bolts under the engine right in front of the swingarm pivot. My ground is on the bolt to the right.

 

[CycloneGS]

The ground is still connected to the engine, I didnt remove it during disassymbly.

I took the spark plugs out, one at a time, then reattached the plug wires and hit the start button. Neither plug made a visible spark!

So I think this means I'm not getting anything from the coils down to the plugs.

I guess I need to go back through the ignition system? Any tips before I take the tank off and start inspecting things?

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

The ground is still connected to the engine, I didnt remove it during disassymbly.

I took the spark plugs out, one at a time, then reattached the plug wires and hit the start button. Neither plug made a visible spark!

So I think this means I'm not getting anything from the coils down to the plugs.

I guess I need to go back through the ignition system? Any tips before I take the tank off and start inspecting things?

Oh man! I just went through an electrical nightmare! Don't worry. We're here to help you!

First thing to check is if the battery is charged. If so, go ahead and test the coils. Do you have a multimeter handy?

Check to see if you're getting 12v to each coil. I can't remember the exact procedure but it's in your manual around the ignition system area. You can download a manual from BassCliff's site.

 

[Guest]

Follow the test in the Clymer for your ignitor...

 

[CycloneGS]

No mulitmeter available tonight. But I will persue that avenue... Dang!

It was just running the other night!

 

[CycloneGS]

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

No mulitmeter available tonight. But I will persue that avenue... Dang!

It was just running the other night!

Bummer! You can't do the tests without a multimeter.

I put tape on my headlight too lol. Except it's an 'X' instead of a +. I got clubmans too .

You're not trying to start the bike up without exhausts are you? If the bike starts without an exhaust, flames will shoot out! Ask me how I know .

Let us know when you get the multimeter. I'll dig out the tests tomorrow if you want me to.

 

[CycloneGS]

HAHA I didnt try and start it without exhaust, I wanted to though! I did some trimwork on the tail, the clubmans, MAC exhaust and thats about it. I spent most my money getting it back to stock shape (brakes, chain, plugs, carb kit, choke lever, lights, etc.)

The tape is removed now.

I will try and get the multimeter tonight.

Here is a video of it on its 2nd start a few weeks ago (if this works):
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=966178463620&comments&set=t.16903912&type=1

 

[CycloneGS]

Does either of these look funny to you guys? I want to make sure everything is grounded ok.

 

[Guest]

Bit hard to tell from those pic's, but I'd be running a lead from the negative of the battery straight to your R/R as well to be sure.

 

[CycloneGS]

I dont know what R/R means.

 

[cowboyup3371]

R/R = Regulator/Rectifier; it's the grey box with fins in the middle of your picture above.

 

[Steve]

Here is a video of it on its 2nd start a few weeks ago (if this works):
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=966178463620&comments&set=t.16903912&type=1

The link probably works, but it's asking me to sign up on FaceBook to view it.

THAT just ain't gonna happen.

If you want it to be seen by more than the few people on FaceBook, use a public site like PhotoBucket or Image Shack.

.

 

[Buster-boy]

There is a paste called "Blue Job" that removes blue from chrome pipes. Get to it now (or as soon as you can) before it gets any worse.

http://www.blue-job.com/

 

[CycloneGS]

Still no spark.

So I cleaned all the grounds up very well and checked all wiring. Granted some patchwork has previously been done, it still looks good to me.

New problem: When I put the key in and turn on, I get no lights in the cluster. Turn signal lights on cluster work but oil light does not come on nor does the gear idicator. Still turns over but no spark visible at the plugs.

This seems related.

I have a multimeter now, I think im gonna figure out how to use it this weekend and test my coil packs.

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Still no spark.

So I cleaned all the grounds up very well and checked all wiring. Granted some patchwork has previously been done, it still looks good to me.

New problem: When I put the key in and turn on, I get no lights in the cluster. Turn signal lights on cluster work but oil light does not come on nor does the gear idicator. Still turns over but no spark visible at the plugs.

This seems related.

I have a multimeter now, I think im gonna figure out how to use it this weekend and test my coil packs.

The gear indicator lights are controlled by this little pod under the sprocket cover. You might want to follow those wires. I would say a wire got loose or the bulbs blew.

Did you get a multimeter? We can't really do much without it.

EDIT: You did get a multimeter. Let's start testing your parts! You downloaded the manual, right?