• 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.

No start issue fuel related

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nathansmith50
  • Start date Start date
N

Nathansmith50

Guest
I have an '83 GS550L. I bought it non running. Replaced the coils. Had the carbs rebuilt. Replaced the stator that was fried. It will not start. It will fire up if I apply positive air pressure(blow into) the float bowl breather.

my theory is vacuum leak. I don't know a lot about bikes. This is my first. I'm good with cars. I don't even know where to begin. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

also of note. I don't have the air box. The mufflers are gone from previous owner.
 
When I get it to fire up by blowing into the tube the engine races and throttle or choke has no effect.
 
Check the Newbie Mistakes thread linked in my signature to see if anything applies.
 
After checking the Newbie Mistakes thread, check your valve clearances and possibly your starting technique.

If the valves are too tight (especially the intakes), you will have a hard time starting the bike, because some of the mixture gets blown back through the carbs, instead of staying in the cylinder to get burned. Tight valves also lead to BURNT valves, which gets expensive, so spend a little bit of time to check the clearances.

The starting technique for these bikes is a bit different than the cars to which you are accustomed. The "choke" does NOT choke the intake of the carb, it is actually a separate circuit in the carb that provides a richer mixture for starting the bike. It relies on the high vacuum of a CLOSED throttle, so if you "pump" the throttle to aid starting, you are actually hurting the process, not helping it. There is no accelerator pump, so "pumping" the throttle is a useless effort. Just turn the petcock to PRIme to allow the bowls to fill, set the "choke" lever to about FULL, turn the key ON, pull the clutch lever, push the starter button. Do NOT touch the throttle. If the engine starts and runs too fast, move the "choke" lever to adjust speed.

You have any idea what was done to the carbs when they were "rebuilt"? Blowing into the vent lines will pressurize the bowls, putting some fuel into the carb throats, but not necessarily through the proper ports. If the carbs were not CLEANED properly and just had some new parts thrown in, they were not properly rebuilt.

Having no airbox is not a good thing, but should not prevent the bike from starting. However, having no mufflers is worse, but probably needs clarification. Were the mufflers cut off the header pipes? (You still have header pipes but no mufflers?) Or do you have NO exhaust system on the bike and can see the exhaust valves operating through the ports? That is even worse, the bike should not be run like that. If you plan on running the bike with no mufflers, the help stops now, but if you plan on adding mufflers, we can continue.

.
 
I'm going to add mufflers I simply want to make sure it's running before I get too carried away. The mufflers were cut off of the header pipes which are installed on the bike. In this picture the choke cables are hanging down but have since been installed. I will check the news thread.
IMG_6403.jpg
 
Thank you for planning to add mufflers, the help session can continue.

Check the local Harley shop to see if they have any Sportster take-offs.
Nice, slim look, a bit throatier than stock and probably stupid cheap.

.
 
I'm also generically wondering if they did a rebuild and didn't do any kind of adjustment. I'm assuming that the butterflies should close all the way and that idle air comes in from elsewhere yes?
 
"I'm assuming that the butterflies should close all the way and that idle air comes in from elsewhere yes?"

Yes, the throttle plates will appear just about fully closed sitting on idle stop screw . A little extra mixture is sucked up thru some holes machined in carb throat. These criitters are hard to start cold unless the enrichment system (the "choke") is functioning. There are lots of little passages that get plugged up and resist quickee cleaning techniques.
Read the newbie mistakes link to learn what needs to be done.
 
hahahahahh yes
no start without airbox is likely
I once got mine to start without exhaust and it made sad sickly noises like suction cups being removed

and the airbox is a pita to install U lever mine with a 2x4 ever so gently
8 foot long or better
 
I've ordered an air box and some mufflers. I'm not even going to bother trying until they get here. I'll keep you posted.
 
So I got the air box. It's from an 83 gs550e according to the writing on it. Is this the same as the 550l? It has to be different or then lots have to be different because the bolt holes don't line up.

i'm also trying to remember tearing it down...the valve cover vent goes to the air box...does also the carb vent that I've been blowing into? There are two possible locations for it to receive tubes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top