Topic: 1979 Suzuki gs550l won't start, backfires

[torrinh]

So my brother calls me from the east coast to tell me that the little motorcycle we bought last summer, and haven't had any trouble with, left him walking today. He said that he took it to work today, started first kick, early afternoon, with warmer temps. He got off work about 1130pm,it had cooled down some outside, and went to start it. Couldn't, and he said it back-fired like 5 times. I had something like this happen to me with my 1983 Kawasaki GPZ 750, where it wouldn't start in the mornings, and backfired on me a couple times, but would after it warmed up outside later in the day. After I replaced the battery this didn't happen anymore. So I told him he probably needs to get a new battery. He's going to try starting it tomorrow after it's warmed up outside. If it starts, he's going to take if for a quick ride, then park it until about the 1130pm Saturday night. The he's going to try starting it again. If it doesn't start, would you guys say it's the battery too?

[Dawdlin Dog]

Battery is a possibility, how old is it?
You know about turning the fuel tap to "prime" when starting and keeping the throttle closed when the choke is on?
My GS will start in the cold but not always easily.

[speedracer741]

Could be condensation in the points cover. How much did the temperature drop while it was sitting?

[torrinh]

I'll suggest the 'prime" route first, but it always seems to start even when the fuel tap is set to "on." And as far as the points cover, I'll have him pull the cover and take a look for moisture. I don't think it's that though.

[crazypj]

Has it been serviced (properly)?
 Is it points or electronic ignition?
 The GS range Suzuki's only have 0.001" to 0.003" valve clearance.
 The valves tighten up and you get no compression (usually one of the exhaust valves, sometimes intakes)
 Shims are still available as the GS500 twin uses same size (and its shim over bucket so easy to do, hard part is getting the cover off)

PJ