2004 Suzuki GS500 wont Start - NEED HELP

rperr002 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Oct 2015 Karma :

Hi All,

I just got my first bike and I already ran into a problem. When I first purchased it, the bike started fine( Maybe I had to mess with the choke but thats it).

Now after a few days of light riding the starter wont engage. I get nothing most of the time.

The weird thing is that if I let it sit for a few hours it will try to turn over the first few times, then nothing after that.

Also, Headlights are bright and Horn works. Havent checked the battery yet

I've been getting around by push starting the think and I would very much appreciate any suggestions on what the problem might be.

On a side note, the petcock valve is leaking which may or may not be related.

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

The fact that the 'Suzuki EX500' doesn't exist may be contributing to your problem Laughing

Is it a Kawasaki EX500, or a Suzuki GS500?
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

My bet is a GS as their petrol taps are shit. Buy a rebuild kit they are fairly easy to do.

Battery sounds like it needs charging.
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orac · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Sep 2011 Karma :

do you get lights, indicators or horn function? is there any noise like the motor spinning or the solenoid engaging?
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Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

The battery is flat, or just ruined. Buy a cheap multimeter and check the battery voltage.
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rperr002 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Oct 2015 Karma :

No solenoid noises. Lights, horn and indicators function. Yes its is a GS, my bad. And I am have a rebuild kit for the petcock valve already.

I gonna try and charge the battery and check it too.... but shouldn't the battery charge after I run it when I push start it? I guess I can also check the alternator.

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

It takes a good few miles of riding to start to recharge the battery once it's running - it's definitely not an immediate thing. Shagged batteries are not uncommon, and the current temperatures won't make early morning starting any easier.
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Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

If the lights come on but it won't crank and if the bike will keep running with the headlight once you bump it on once started, it's probably charging and the battery is shagged.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good Very Happy

monkeybiker · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2014 Karma :

Can you get some jump leads to a car battery on it. Do it with the car not running. If the bike starts I would say you need a new battery.

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Battery is bolloxed, charge it and see if it holds a charge if it does not replace it. Does the bike have an aftermarket alarm, they tend to drain batteries.
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orac · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Sep 2011 Karma :

are the light dim? horn sound wimpy, well more wimpy than normal? what happens if you jump the solenoid terminals (the two with nuts on them) with a screwdriver? - beware of a few spark when doing this, maybe not idea if there is petrol around, no one here is responsible for you setting your bike on fire. if it cranks when these are shorted than its a solenoid issue. else battery is the most likely

The GS5 will happily run without a battery if you bump start it, although not an ideal situation.
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

rperr002 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Oct 2015 Karma :

Alright, Ill test the battery and let you know how it goes.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

I'll stress again that a £5 multimeter will save a lot of guesswork, time and money.

The other thing is, if it's a cheap wet cell battery (and given the bike it's likely to be) then the cells need to be wet.

https://www.o-digital.com/uploads/2179/2182-1/High_Performance_Motorcycle_Battery_YB4L_B_284.jpg

The electrolyte wants to be between the level lines in each cell - you'll be able to see it through the side if it's a wet cell battery like that. If not, add distilled / deionised water, available from garages, supermarkets or Halfrauds.
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Nexus Icon · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Karma :

You can use rainwater in place of distilled water if you leave it open to the air for 48hrs before use just to be sure the minerals and heavy metals (Wyld Stallyns!!!!)* have dissipated.

Often, rainwater contains fewer ppm of particulates than bottled distilled water.

*One for the grown-ups.
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Nexus Icon · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Karma :

PS. I don't mean scoop it out of a puddle. Obviously, you'll need to collect it in a clean container as it falls from the sky.
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Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

I would not use rainwater as it is full of pollutants and life. collect a glass and leave it in full sunlight for a week and it will go green.
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Nexus Icon · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Karma :

rperr002 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Oct 2015 Karma :

Hey Guys thanks for the suggestions.

I tested the voltage on the battery - 9 Volts. I also discovered it was a lithium battery if that means anything.

I bump started the bike and tested the voltage while running. It read 11 volts. A little under the 13 volts I think its suppose to read, but I think that's because the battery is bringing down the voltage of the charging system.

Gonna buy a battery today. last one was three years old. Checked and cleaned terminals as well fyi.