STARTING PROBLEMS

[handyandy62]

I have a 1977 GL1000. If it sits for two weeks it won't start, if it was running and I start it every two three days it starts and runs fine

[wingman12]

good evening handyandy, a little more information please. does the bike crank but not start? will not crank good and fast? is there any indication of a fuel leak?

[dingdong]

One reason could be that the fuel in the carbs evaporates and the fuel pump has to refill the bowls before it will start. It takes some time for the mechanical pump to refill the bowls. My 76 does this also. For that reason I am going to install an electric pump soon. No more running the battery down.

[handyandy62]

Thanks to dingdong, where do I get a electric fuel pump.
Also what brand, size hook ups etc?

[dingdong]

This is the universal pump that most are using. You will have to fabricate your own mounting bracket however. Somewhere on NGW there is a how to for this.

http://www.amazon.com/Autobest-42S-Univ ... ingdocs-20

[landisr]

I am by no means an expert, but.... I read here or somewhere that if your fuel tank is full, it can "gravity feed" the carbs, at least partially. Meaning that if you open the petcock a minute or two before you try to start the bike, it can help. I have tried this on my '76 and it does start well, but then once the riding season opens up, I tend to ride it frequently.

One way to tell if the carbs are "empty" is to notice that once it starts to come to life, does it "seem" to run on one cylinder, then "pick up" another, then another etc etc? If so, then you've found the culprit/problem..

Let us know how things turn out.

Ron in AZ