[purple-rain]

I recently purchased a non running 1981 GL500 with 30,000 miles. I cannot get the engine to start. The engine will not start with starting fluid. I removed the carbs and sprayed starting fluid into the intakes. After spraying starting fluid into the intakes, the left cylinder caught a flame, but the engine did not start. I turned the engine over until the battery died, but the engine would not start. A day later I repeated the process and both cylinders produced fire. I did not check for compression. The engine has spark on both plugs.

Any help would be appreciated. Engine has spark, but will not start with gas or starting fluid.

 

[reclinedrelic]

Spark plugs can get fuel soaked and then won't fire. Have you tried fresh spark plugs?
Have you checked the air filter? Has some rodent made a nest in the filter housing?
Can you get a sense of the compression from how the engine turns over when you are trying to start it?

 

[purple-rain]

I changed the spark plugs a hour ago. I still can't get the engine to start. The battery is fully charged. The bike was missing the air filter when I brought it home. The engine turns over fast with the starter button, but not too fast. I think I will make a video if it will help.

 

[danroy323]

The bottom rear of the tank looks rusty. How is it on the inside? Your carbs might be full of crap and need a complete cleaning.

 

[reclinedrelic]

I removed the carbs and sprayed starting fluid into the intakes. After spraying starting fluid into the intakes, the left cylinder caught a flame, but the engine did not start. I turned the engine over until the battery died, but the engine would not start. A day later I repeated the process and both cylinders produced fire. I did not check for compression. The engine has spark on both plugs.

Instead of removing the carbs try injecting the starter fluid through the balance ports on the intake runners. I would not expect the engine to run on starter fluid with the carbs removed.

 

[purple-rain]

I changed the spark plugs a hour ago. I still can't get the engine to start. The battery is fully charged. The bike was missing the air filter when I brought it home. The engine turns over fast with the starter button, but not too fast. I think I will make a video if it will help.

video below

 

[purple-rain]

The bottom rear of the tank looks rusty. How is it on the inside? Your carbs might be full of crap and need a complete cleaning.

I believe the tank is junk. I just wanted the key since it matches the ignition and gas cap. The carbs need cleaning for sure. I would like to hear the engine run before I spend another dollar.

 

[purple-rain]

Instead of removing the carbs try injecting the starter fluid through the balance ports on the intake runners. I would not expect the engine to run on starter fluid with the carbs removed.

Before I took the carbs off the bike, I sprayed starting fluid in the carbs and the bike did not run.I will put the carbs back on and spray a few drops in the balancing ports and see what happens.

 

[purple-rain]

It appears the right side cylinder is not firing full time. When I pulled the plug, I saw a yellowish spark.