• 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.

Please Help! May have destroyed bike!

  • Thread starter Thread starter jager1313
  • Start date Start date
skreemer said:
they aren't on the fiche I believe but just about any cable that's a close fit and has the correct ends will do.
Click to expand...


The factory cables are still available from places that sell OE parts. If you are using the ever popular Superbike or Daytona bars, which have only a few inches of rise, the cables from a '82-'83 GS550M (Katana) are nice since they are the shortest offered for the 550.

Good luck.
 
Update

Update

Sorry I have not updated for so long. Finally got a chance to work on the bike this weekend.

First I changed all my cables to proper length. I thought this would help with the whole starting issue as a bonus because I noticed my choke cable was binding. My thinking was that if the bike was not getting choke then it couldn't start.

I changed everything out and still no starting. I pulled the plugs like some of you suggested and tested for a spark. I did not see a spark on any of the spark plugs.

What could this mean? Why would all 4 plugs not ignite? is there something wrong with the electrical?

I also know I need a new battery, so when I was doing this test I again ran it off a car battery, which I know people have said not to do. but nothing blew out or shorted so I should be ok right?

I bought new plugs for the bike, but they are not the right fitting, so I need them exchanged.

I will keep you guys posted! Thanks everyone for the help!

I also could not stand not riding anymore so I went out this weekend and bought a '98 GSXR 600.
 
It could be coil or pickup related. I'm in south Central MN. Check to make sure you're coils are still plugged in and you didn't accidentally unplug them when you removed the tank.
 
No spark?

Elimination man......like he said above, don't spend money chasing phantom 'maybes' around. Make sure, there's a test for everything.

Hook up any kind of plug, it'll eliminate plug doubt. I keep a brand new lawn mower plug handy for tests like these.

Now go to your coils, find the + side and hook up a tester and the - to the battery. Turn the ignition on, you should see a minimum 10v or min. 13.5v if running.

No voltage? Get a coated wire, 14 guage works good, put in a cheap fusible link (2 bucks and always handy) and then connect it to your battery pos+, other end to your coils bridged, turn the ign/run button on and start. if she fires its your coils or the wiring to them, maybe even the switch itself in which you then check for continuity.

Coils have voltage? Check the ignitor. Ignitor good? Check the signal generator.

Elimination

The guys here taught me this within my first few days here, I owe them alot, this forum rocks.

www.escobarpolishing.com
 
Last edited:
Keep in mind that when testing spark with a spark plug, a weak spark won't cut it. A better way is to get a spark tester that will actually make your coils work by using a huge gap. They aren't that expensive. When a spark plug is in the cylinder, it has to spark in an atmosphere that is at a much greater pressure then when the plug is just laying against the head. As a result, a much higher voltage is required. I've seen a lot of people think they have spark because the plug will spark when out of the head, but in reality the coil was too weak to fire the plug under compression. They beat their heads against the wall for a while, then bring it to me and pay me to tell them what they could've figured out if they just used the right tools.
 
OK, so I will get plugs that will fit and try from there. What exactly are the coils? i am pretty newb to this so could someone take a picture and show me? Are they the things underneath the tank, there are 2 of them that the spark plug wires are connected to? 2 spark plug wires per.

is there a way to make sure gas is getting into each cylinder? I stuck a screw driver in and pulled out and smelled for gas, but my whole garage smells like gas...
 
jager1313 said:
OK, so I will get plugs that will fit and try from there. What exactly are the coils? i am pretty newb to this so could someone take a picture and show me? Are they the things underneath the tank, there are 2 of them that the spark plug wires are connected to? 2 spark plug wires per.

is there a way to make sure gas is getting into each cylinder? I stuck a screw driver in and pulled out and smelled for gas, but my whole garage smells like gas...
Click to expand...

Yep, the coils are where the plug wires attach to the bike.

Gas in the cylinders s/b evident based on the condition of the plug for each cylinder.

Best of luck!
 
I hate unresolved treads, so i will close this out with the conclusion.

The whole problem turned out just to be a loose wire near the fuse box area. After paying a mechanic to tow to shop and an hour of labor, he simply reconnected the connector and I was on my way.

I think this connector lead to the coils which were not firing the spark plugs which were not combusting the gas.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions!
 
Thanks for the lesson

Thanks for the lesson

jager1313 said:
I hate unresolved treads, so i will close this out with the conclusion.

The whole problem turned out just to be a loose wire near the fuse box area. After paying a mechanic to tow to shop and an hour of labor, he simply reconnected the connector and I was on my way.

I think this connector lead to the coils which were not firing the spark plugs which were not combusting the gas.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions!
Click to expand...

Thanks for wrapping this up Mr. jager1313.

This is why it is so important to check and clean every electrical connection and ground on these classic bikes, from the head light bucket to the battery to the tail light, all along the harness, chassis, and the fuse box. I hope this lesson wasn't too expensive for you.

OK, that's enough of my Profound Glimpse into the Obvious. :rolleyes:

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top