• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

New member from Chico, CA

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Guest
I just picked up my first GS. I bought this non running GS from my neighbor's brother who had owned it since he was 18 ( he’s 52 now). I’m looking forward to tinkering on this bike and making it a fun town bike.

The bike:
1978 GS550. I’m not sure if it’s an e.
vin:GS550111188

known issue
the bike cranks over nice but doesn’t start. The fuel leaked so bad from the peacock that there want a lot of time spent on the ignition.

some of the issues I know that need to be fixed:
petcock - I ordered new seals for the original.
fuel lines

while waiting for those things I will start with testing the spark.

pics to come soon

Chris
 
Last edited:
Welcome!

Be sure to check the newbie mistakes thread linked in my signature. It will help you...
 
I don't think there is a better site for someone with their first GS. How much do you know about its history? Why not running?, has it just sat for too long, did something break and was never fixed, hopefully nothing too serious. Whatever you need to know is probably here. Good luck and welcome...
 
Welcome Chris,
thanks for introduction (you get extra points for that har har)

tell us more.
you have worked on other bikes?
did it sit unused for long time?

let me guess: it had charging issues, and so PO let it sit for about 5 years.

pictures.
we all like pictures.

what model? Year?
post pic and let us figure it out.

.
 
Last edited:
Looks like one pic per post for now.
 

Attachments

  • photo60130.jpg
    photo60130.jpg
    58.5 KB · Views: 0
OK, looks pretty nice, a 1978 GS550 C and looks like most everything is there. Have you looked inside the tank yet? sometimes that's a problem. Do you know why it's not been ran lately?
 
The guy I bought it from has had the bike for 34 years. I have known him for 12 years of that as he often visits his brother who is a friend and my good friend, and immediate neighbor.
He has always ridden the bike on clear days when he visits his brother until just a few months ago when he asked if he could barrow my spark tester for the plugs. I was told that it wouldn't start and he was having issues with the petcock. After he added silicone sealer between the petcock and tank, it would still leak but it ran very rough and would then die.

I just went out and tested the coil packs and they are all delivering good spark.
I ordered new seals for the petcock from RMATV (another great OEM source).

While testing the spark, I see that there are many dry hoses so I will be replacing all of them when I get the fuel supply parts. When I look under the cap, I don't see any rust but it does smell old. I will stick a probe in there and look around a bit better this week.


I also plan on running through all the basic maintenance after I here it fire. If I don't get the fire then I will be looking at air supply next.

Chris
 
It seems, and hoping, this may be a relatively easy project. Just my opinion, Siting for months, not yrs. Possibly some fresh gas with appx. 3 oz. pr. gal of Seafoam could possibly get it going without having to go all through the carbs. That would be a huge benefit... Keep us updated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

10Shilling6Pence
GS750E New-Found Interest
Replies
0
Views
37
10Shilling6Pence
10Shilling6Pence
NateDogg83
Old Bike, new rider, same ol' problems - 1980 GS550E
Replies
17
Views
173
gtem
gtem
cdahl383
GS300L starts and idles but bogs with throttle
Replies
17
Views
165
salty_monk
salty_monk
J
Not Brand New, But New
Replies
5
Views
67
JPRICE91990@GMAIL.COM
J
dandypop
New Member, New to the GS World, Custom Build
Replies
4
Views
83
dandypop
dandypop
Back
Top