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View Full Version : Intermittent dead electrics GS500?



Captain_Salty
6th July 2011, 20:24
Hi, my bike hasn't been used for about 6 weeks and it did tip over on the June 13th shake, but no visible damage done. On sunday It started up fine, although the headlight was very weak, so after it had warmed up for 5 mins I jumped on and it stalled on take off. I tried to restart but other than the panel lights the electrics seemed completely dead. I assumed the battery must need a charge so didn't get back on the bike until today.
Made it around the block when the throttle suddenly just quit, pulled over and the motor conked out shortly thereafter. Went to restart and the same problem, panel lights but nothing else. 5 mins later electrics back and starts but dies when I take off again, then no electrics. Pushed bike home yet again...:facepalm:
Couldn't get anything out of it for another hour so washed the thing and it decided it would start up afterwards. Didn't try riding it though.

GS's have a reputation for being cold blooded and while mine has always fired up easily it is a pain to get it to idle normally in the first ten minutes of riding/stopping. So I don't know if the dead throttle was electric related or just her usual shennanigans. (but i still lover her)
Any suggestions?

pete376403
6th July 2011, 21:05
Did the electrolyte drain out of the battery while it was on its side?

And GS suzooks do have a reputation for shitty electrics - Japanese Lucas if you like. (this is an old GS500, right?)

Captain_Salty
6th July 2011, 21:33
yea a 97(sorry updated profile). it's a sealed quadflex battery so no spillage.

EB255GTX
6th July 2011, 22:13
Try the motorcycle fault finding chart about half way down this thread - it's a good resource:

[/URL][url]http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/132696-Basic-troubleshooting-steps?p=1129943048#post1129943048 (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=227432&d=1293653888)

Captain_Salty
6th July 2011, 22:42
thanks will read that up tomorrow