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Bike won't start, really rich, carbs clean

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Lyrasito, Jun 16, 2013.

  1. Lyrasito

    Lyrasito New Member

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    I bought this bike back in September, it's an '83 Suzuki GS550L. It seems to be in pretty good shape for a 30 year old bike, only has 23k on it and the previous owner took really good care of it. I was having troubles with it stalling back in the fall so I did a complete valve adjustment and it ran great after that.

    I stored it over the winter with fuel stabilizer and took the battery out and kept it indoors. At the beginning of this season it was running fine but slowly started to have starting difficulties, eventually it wouldn't start at all. The battery is dead now from all the trying to start, and even when I jump it it doesn't work.

    The plugs are fairly new as is the air filter, although after trying to start it the plugs are all black and soaked in fuel. Using the choke doesn't help, it seems to make this problem worse.

    I just took out the carbs to give them a clean and it doesn't seem like anything is wrong with them either! All the jets are perfectly clear and almost everything is completely clean.

    Any more advice? What could be causing this problem?

    Thanks!
  2. 99Fatboy

    99Fatboy Active Member

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    My first advice would be to go to a different forum. This is not a rice burner forum

    Edit;

    My apoligy I thought I was on the v-twin forum.
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2013
  3. 99Fatboy

    99Fatboy Active Member

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    Now I've finished eating my crow and had time to think about it, put in new plugs, drain the fuel from your carbs, make sure they are completely dry. Try to start it by spraying a spit, of carb cleaner in each carb. Let's see if it wants to fire. it maybe an ignition issue and not carb. If it won't fire from knowing that your metering the supply by hand it's possible your problem is lack of fire. I've really not had much luck pulling a plug and watching the fire jump the plug. It can still show but be weak.
  4. charlie46

    charlie46 Well-Known Member

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    Good chance it's those 30 yr.old plug wires.
  5. Red Rider

    Red Rider Well-Known Member

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    Did you check the fuel filter? Your tank may be sludgy/rusty, and that can get through and cause your carb float to jam. If your filter is dirty, I'd recommend pulling the tank and cleaning it out.

    Could also be caused by fuel ling deterioration. Whatever, seems like you need to reinspect the carb.
  6. 99Fatboy

    99Fatboy Active Member

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    Agree, sense it slowly deteriated, and your turning your plugs black and wet it's got to be an ignition issue.

    I don't know my self, does it take points yet at that age? Tune the thing up :D
  7. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    All good advice, especially about the plug wires. If bike is points/condensor type, change those as well and consult service manual for proper gap. Same with plugs.

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