Motorcycle wont start

[livesintrees]

81 Suzuki GS450T

So I have spent the better part of a week replacing the gaskets and exhaust on my Gs450. After I was finished I placed the motor back into the frame reassembled it no problem, then attached all the connective wires and tried to start it up. At first the solenoid just made a tick noise so I assumed my battery was low on charge as I was using it to check my new headlight. After a quick charge I placed the battery back into the bike and gave it a go. This time sparks shot from my positive terminal and the starter solenoid made a fast ticking and whirling noise. Now all I get is ticks. I've checked all my wiring for good connections to both the block and the battery. This bike is an electronics nightmare. The rear turn signals were assembled by an electrical engineer for a school project so there is a lot of bare wires, and solder points.

The spark coming from the battery was like a short or a bad connection so Ive checked to make sure it made solid contact. It should be a straight shoot from the battery to the solenoid to the starter with a ground connection to the frame correct? What could be causing the bike not to start? Im new to bikes, and this is my first project on two wheels. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Big R]

Wow man.....that bike sounds like a real mess.

My best info? I might try to get a stock wiring harness off eBay or something and revert as much of the electrical components to stock (like your signals).

 

[socalmike_cb72]

I would agree with Rich and try to simplify as much of the wiring as possible. How bad are the previous owner's connections? I would assume it's shorting out somewhere, or maybe the selenoid got fried somehow. You can also hot wire the starter straight to the battery to make sure the problem isn't the starter since that's an easy check. Not sure how to test a selenoid.

A voltage meter could be a good investment if you don't have one yet.

 

[livesintrees]

Well figured I would give you guys an idea of what Im working with. Its a mess, but I really love the LED taillights. It would be a shame to lop those off so Im going to relocate them and replace the brake light to a smaller cats eye style. I build big ol' mud bogger trucks so this isnt my first project, with a little solder here and a ton of new wires and connectors I should have it all pieced back together. I'll update you after I rework the seat pan, frame and wiring this week. Hopefully I can get it running before I head back to school.

Uploading pictures off my cell phone is basically impossible. I live in the one place where 3g is myth. Here is a link to the photo album feel free to scroll through the three or so photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/79981945@N07/8223979603/

Thanks guys!

 

[livesintrees]

Okay re-diagnosed problem after rewiring and removing starter to bench test it. Well the starter works just fine along with solenoid. When I click the starter button the solenoid is working perfect get the click then it runs to the starter which is trying to stain to start the engine. However, something is binding inside of the engine causing the engine to not even turn over. Eck, if its not one thing its another.

 

[Big R]

Do you have the spark plugs in? My first thought is that your petcock failed and the cylinders are flooded.

 

[socalmike_cb72]

Play with the engine a little and describe what the lock is like.

Just finished rebuilding my engine cause of a seize, though it took a long time to figure out the cause. Cam chain tensioners were so worn that they crumbled when I tried to kick start it. The chain jumped a few teeth on the sprocket and threw off the timing so the valves were ramming against the pistons. Really bad, but thankfully I didn't loose the engine.

I hope that's not what your situation, but you can pull off the stator cover and points cover and see how the guides line up.

Either case, describe your lock up with some details. Maybe someone who has experienced something similar can chime in.

 

[livesintrees]

Hey guys sorry it took me so long to reply, between driving nine hours and spend a week getting a new house for university and filming some skiing videos with all the fresh snow Ive been extremely busy! So I pulled apart the engine again. First thought was that the cylinders were flooded. I spent the time in the car thinking what it could be, and I came to the conclusion that my timing was off on the twin cams. Damn twin cam systems; so when the valve was opening the piston was coming up. Thankful I am very gentle with the engine so when it seized I didnt try to force it out and bend anything. Bingo the timing was off so I reset the timing back to factory specs and it cranked right over. Off to replace the spark plug wires now. My room mates seriously despise me, our porch has turned into my new garage for lack of better space. The ladies love it! So now Im off to try a new fiberglass seat I made that matches the flow of the tank and shortened frame. Hopefully I can have it all painted polished and ready to run by spring!

Thanks guys! If I have anymore question I will start a new thread of "all things evil GS450".

 

[livesintrees]

Oh just for shits n' giggles I post some pics pre-strip, paint and clip-ons on bike so you can see what I'm working with.

 

[gk45011]

I have found my GS450 L to be a little, how do you say "tempermental" at times. Things are slowly working themselves out. Don't give up on her she looks good!

GK