Trouble starting


Information and questions on GL1100 Goldwings (1980-1983)
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NCJimFred
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:48 pm
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Motorcycle: 1981 GL1100

Trouble starting

Post by NCJimFred »



This is my 1st motorcycle (that was probably my 1st mistake) so don't know a ton. When I try to start it, it just turns over continually but never tries to start like its not getting fuel or spark. So I decided to pull the plugs to see if they were getting spark starting with the left 2 (if your sitting on the bike) and they were, pulled the right 2 which had a clear yellowish liquid on them and weren't getting fire. Then it got scary because when I let go of the starter button it continued to try to start for what seemed like 30 seconds even after I turned the key off and pulled it out. I know its not that smart but I cleaned the plugs thinking that just maybe that's what caused it and tried again. That fixed the no fire issue but did nothing for the continual starting. Matter of a fact this time it was worse, this time it didn't stop till I pulled the + cable off the battery even with no key and the kill switch in the off position. Now it tries to start every time I try to hook the battery back up. The guy I bought from told me he thinks the starter switch has a ground short. Because of the little bit of work I have done on 4-wheelers I figured if there was a short it would just make the button not work i.e. not try to start. Is the starter button my issue or is it more likely a short or something somewhere else? I know that the junk on the right spark plugs is another issue I'm gonna have to figure out as well and tips on that would be appreciated but my main concern right now is exercising the demon that keeps trying to start my bike.


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DenverWinger
Posts: 2434
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:20 pm
Location: Denver, CO
Motorcycle: (s)
'80 GL1100 STD Vetter (2005-)
'93 GL1500 Aspencade (2017-)
'83 Trav-Lite Camper (2010-)
Past rides
'72 CL350 (1980-1988) sold
'78 Suzuki GS550 (1985-2005) sold
'77 GL1000 (2002-2006) sold

Re: Trouble starting

Post by DenverWinger »

Probably a stuck starter relay (right by the battery + terminal). Will need to be replaced. Whack it with a screwdriver handle a couple times and see if it still tries to crank when you connect the battery.
A local inventor has figured a way to turn a sausage grinder backward to manufacture pigs. :lol:

♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫ :(
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪ :shock:
~Mark
NCJimFred
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:48 pm
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Motorcycle: 1981 GL1100

Re: Trouble starting

Post by NCJimFred »

That seems to of fixed it thank you.
User avatar
DenverWinger
Posts: 2434
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:20 pm
Location: Denver, CO
Motorcycle: (s)
'80 GL1100 STD Vetter (2005-)
'93 GL1500 Aspencade (2017-)
'83 Trav-Lite Camper (2010-)
Past rides
'72 CL350 (1980-1988) sold
'78 Suzuki GS550 (1985-2005) sold
'77 GL1000 (2002-2006) sold

Re: Trouble starting

Post by DenverWinger »

You will need to replace it or expect it to stick again.....
A local inventor has figured a way to turn a sausage grinder backward to manufacture pigs. :lol:

♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫ :(
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪ :shock:
~Mark
NCJimFred
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:48 pm
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Motorcycle: 1981 GL1100

Re: Trouble starting

Post by NCJimFred »

Ya checking how much 1 would run me was the 1st thing I did after I reconnected the battery luckily its only about $10 so can definitely afford to replace that. I guess "fixed" it wasn't the right word, but that appears to be what is causing that issue.


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