My bike won't start!

[dmwhite]

I have a 1981 GL1100 Goldwing Aspencade Interstate. It is my first bike and I am trying to learn as much as I can about it. I changed the starter this weekend because it went from clicking when I pressed the button to no sound at all. Once I put it all together (8 hours) the starter fired like a champ but it ran ruff till it stopped. I tried again to start it but it began doing the same thing the last starter was doing, clicking slowly to no sound at all. All the light, blower, and radio work fine but something is stopping the starter from working right.
Question: Am I doing something wrong during the starting phase or should I be checking for something else that might be wrong. I pulled the manual chock and the green light is on meaning the bike is in neutral so I am in the dark about what I should do next.

Any help would be truly appreciated. I want to ride it before it gets to cold outside :help:

:thanks:
David

 

[slabghost]

Check your kill switch is on run. Some old solenoids need a little :builder: help. It's back of the battery box on the left under the side cover. Is this a new to you bike that has been sitting a long time? Or has this just started?

 

[slabghost]

Battery should be fully charged at no more than 3amp setting.

 

[dan filipi]

Check the ground strap also.
One sure sign of a loose connection is when cranking the cable ends get hot, starter needs A LOT of juice.
Next id jump positive directly to the starter to rule out the solenoid.
Not a bad idea to pull the plugs in case there's raw fuel causing hydrolock which will stop the starter dead in its tracks.

 

[toytender01]

Again don't neglect checking and cleaning the starter butten and check the fuse block and relay contacts Good luck

 

[dmwhite]

Hi Everyone,
Update, the starter is fine and the battery was bad. I bought a new one and it is being slow charged. I found out the gas switch on the right side of the bike needed to be on not off. This could be why the bike ran ruff. oh2: I turned the switch to on and now I am waiting for the new battery to charge. With any luck it will be running tommorow.
Again, thank you all for your great suggestions, :music: Everyone really came through :yahoo:
I don't know alot but if I can help just ask. I will watch everyone's post to learn as much as I can. :smilie_happy:
Thank you :thank_you:
dmwhite

 

[slabghost]

Uhh. Your right foot is used on the brake pedal which is on the right side of the bike. Unless your bike has two fuel valves. It is located on the left side.

 

[dan filipi]

It's great when the fix is simple but leaving the petcock in the ON position is a bad idea when parked since fuel can flood the cylinders and crankcase.
Should always turn the fuel off when parked.

 

[Jcol]

Should always turn the fuel off when parked.

That's great advise Dan and I always do, but I've always wondered if it was necassary with the Wing since it has a fuel pump? Can the gas pass still pass through the FP when the engine isn't running?

 

[joedrum]

its very important for sure ....a tank 1/2 full will gravity feed the carbs and cause all kinds of problems ....ones that take the motor out ....the carbs sit above the motor from there its right in the motor .....i used to think the same way till i relized it was going on on my bike.... :shock: :mrgreen:

 

[AApple]

Should always turn the fuel off when parked.

That's great advise Dan and I always do, but I've always wondered if it was necassary with the Wing since it has a fuel pump? Can the gas pass still pass through the FP when the engine isn't running?

Yes, it can, especially if the fuel level in the tank is high enough. I don't think the petcocks on these things all seal 100%, anyway, so even turning the fuel OFF isn't a sure cure. Dan had the right idea by putting an electrical fuel shut-off solenoid on his.

 

[dmwhite]

Hi slabghost,
Yes, your right the gas valve is on the left above the starter. oh2: Thank you.
I have a question, if I leave the kill switch is in the on position while the bike is off will that affect the way it runs when you start it? I ask because during transport I left the valve open and when I got to the house the floor of the trailer had some gas form the bike. I think I flooded the engine :head bang:
If I flood the engine do I need to do something to make the engine run right? I will put the charged battery in tommorow and I think it may be a problem if the bike runs ruff.

Thanks for the feedback
dmwhite

 

[dmwhite]

Hi Dan filipi,
What is a petcock? Is it on the handle bars or the thing down by the starter?
Thanks
dmwhite

 

[joedrum]

kill switch is fine in the on possition its there as an easy way to kill the motor when running or to spin the motor while working on it ...when you dont want any spark going to the plugs and dont want it to start ...

the pitcock is the gas valve ...to shut the gas off or put in the reserve possition :mrgreen:

 

[dan filipi]

If I flood the engine do I need to do something to make the engine run right?

Odds are gas has contaminated the oil so don't start the bike until you've changed the oil and filter.

 

[slabghost]

Hi slabghost,
Yes, your right the gas valve is on the left above the starter. oh2: Thank you.
I have a question, if I leave the kill switch is in the on position while the bike is off will that affect the way it runs when you start it? I ask because during transport I left the valve open and when I got to the house the floor of the trailer had some gas form the bike. I think I flooded the engine :head bang:
If I flood the engine do I need to do something to make the engine run right? I will put the charged battery in tommorow and I think it may be a problem if the bike runs ruff.

Thanks for the feedback
dmwhite

Kill switch is fine left in the on position as stated. Puddle of fuel is not good. Check the oil. Smell for a gas smell. If it smells of gas drain it and put in fresh oil. Gasoline is a lousy lubricant. Run some seafoam in a few tanks of fuel and start running 6-8 oz of automatic transmission fluid in each tank of gas. That should clean the carbs up nicely and help to keep the float needles working right.