1983 GS 125es wont start help needed

[hunterfett]

Hi all.
I dont know anything about bikes but ive just passed my cbt as im being given a 1983 gs 125 es for nothing. the bike was running and went through an mot fine but since then(2years ago) has not been touched. it has fallen over a few times and bent the handlebars and wrecked the tacho dial. i put a new battery on it but nothing no lights, horn indicators etc, completley dead so it wont start any tips on where to start with this ive orderd a haynes manual. but need to get this thing up and running as im skint and need it for comuting to work and back.

all help and advice greatly received
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cheers all

[hunterfett]

sorry forgot to mention although it has been sitting for a while it has been kept wrapped up under cover if that bears any rellevance
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cheers all

[WD Forte]

check main fuse
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bikers smell of wee

[hunterfett]

ok will try that next thanks
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cheers all

[WD Forte]

As you know nothing about bikes its not starting may be a blessing in disguise.
You should at the very least check the engine oil before trying to start it.
Those motors dont hold a lot and if it lost any when falling over
( if it had any to begin with)
you could ruin the engine on day one.

Getting an old bike back on the road and MOT'd aint rocket science but its rarely a 10 minute job even for experienced folk and it isnt without cost.
I've done plenty and theres always 101 things to do to get them sorted and stuff to buy.
how skint are you?
It sounds like you may have to put bars on the shopping list as well as oil, a new plug, air filter etc etc tyres/tubes/brakes/bearings OK?

One person springs to mind who may be willing to do a write up in exhaustive detail on the todo list but I suggest you RTFM before firing it up.
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bikers smell of wee

[hunterfett]

Thanks for that as a car owner I did think to check the obvious things first like oil and brake fluid all seemed ok but just had no electrics if someone could tell me where to get a list or if some one here could provide that that would be awesome I have the manual on order and will be reading up on it. Sorry I may have been a little misleading saying I know nothing about bikes i'm just not to familiar with them from a repair aspect but I do have a little knowledge of things like oil, water and brake fluid etc. I also took the carb of and that looked quite clean to me.
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cheers all

[map]

Check simple stuff first before starting to dismantle. If no electric (lights, etc) at all with new battery then check

1. As said, main fuse. Should be about 30amp rated, near the battery (follow red lead).

2. Could be ignition barrel. Cold/damp could affect it. Spray WD40 down barrel and work in and out with key. Try this a few times. Then try inserting and turning key to see if power. You might have to jiggle key in the barrel. Check for any chopped wires from barrel.

Obviously check connections are tight to new battery.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[hunterfett]

Thanks will try all of the above as a starting block thanks again
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cheers all

[hunterfett]

Ok so thanks to the previous tips I found that the problem was with the ignition barrel all seems ok now and all power has been restored. Can anyone suggest any possible solutions for gears sticking cant select first or 5th but I can get neutral 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Again any help gratefully received thanks in advance
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cheers all

[moonzoomer]

[The Artist]

Got any pics?

[hunterfett]

I've just got the bike today off my brother in law he did say it had fallen over a couple times but I believe it was always on the right side so not the gear selector side although could be wrong. It does go into first and fifth occasionally but it's very hit and miss can get some pics but not sure what you want to see I am a bit of a novice at all this sorry also I seem to be able change gear without pulling the clutch is the normal ?
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cheers all

[moonzoomer]

[hunterfett]

Ok thanks for that I will try that next. I don't mind spending a bit of money on it as the bike was a freebie so would really like to get it going. Thanks for all you're help
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cheers all

[hunterfett]

so a quick update firstly thanks for all your help and sugestions its been a real help. so i got the bike running cleand it up a bit and put it in for MOT only went down on a front wheel bearingwhich has now been sorted and now has a years ticket. however riding home this evening i noticed that the brake light wont work while the lights are on and i have no tail light. figured id best get home before it gets dark and on the way bake all the electrics start playing. healights slowly diming indiciators not flashing just staying on constantly. then the bike starts to chug a bit backfired a couple of times and as i pulled onto my driveway the bike died no electrics at all. put the battery on charge and was fully charged within about 15 mins so im guessing the battery is not the problem its only 2 weeks old. when i put the battery back on to try it i got all electrics back temporarily but now nothing again. any ideas im really stuck without my bike please help
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cheers all

[hunterfett]

managed to sort electrics problem turns out it was just a bad earth all sorted now and thought i would share a pic
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cheers all