Don't laugh now...

[a1bummer]

Me and my better half decided this summer that it was time for her to learn how to ride. I kept an eye out for something small and not in the best of shape in case she was to drop it.

So... I just brought home an 81 Suzuki GS550L yesterday. It's actually in pretty good shape considering it has been sitting outside at my Dad's for the last few years. It belonged to my cousin who has been waiting for my brother to fix it. Neither ever had much success keeping it running. There were no keys to be found anywhere so I went to the locksmith with the ignition today to have a set of keys made using the code on the housing. I hooked a battery up to it, turned the key and everything lit up like it should. When I hit the start switch and nothing happened. When I pulled off the cover on the right side to try and track down why it wouldn't turn over, I noticed some wires that had been cut. As far as I can tell, someone swiped the rectifier. They didn't even bother unplugging it. They just snipped all the wires in one clean cut. For some reason, my brother comes to mind.

 

First question, would cutting those wires make it not turn over when the start button is pressed? I've had other bikes and they would still at least turn over without a rectifier.

 

Second question, what other years and models used the same rectifier? I'd be able to increase my odds of getting one if I knew.

Third question, anybody here have an extra one laying around?

 

Fourth and last question, would any of you know if there is a manual somewhere online that I can download?

Thanks, Bill

[mini-muffin]

Well good luck with the bike. I'd think cutting the wires might not have been a good idea in the first place. I've met folks that do things like that too. But I'm sure the guys have real technical info for ya.

Anyway hope you get her running and the wife likes riding.

 

Margaret

[footsie]

They have good price and pictures of the wiring harness in the parts section. Might give you an idea of how to repair the wiring, also partsunlimited has some universal rectifiers.

 

Gregg

[Monty]

I have an '80 GS850 parts bike, and it still has the harness and rectifier on it. I don't know if the rectifier worked or not, but you are welcome to it. If you can, take a picture of where the wires were cut. See how many wires/what colors, etc...

 

I belong to these sites. Tons of GS info here.

 

www.thegsresources.com

 

http://classicujm.forumakers.com/forum.htm

[Chaharly]

Are you pulling in the clutch?

[a1bummer]

Monty:

Thanks for those links. I joined the GS group this morning and copy/pasted my post there. I'll see what I get in reply when I get home from school later. I'll also take some pictures and I am interested in that rectifier you have there.

 

Chaharly:

I did try pulling in the clutch, but it didn't help. I'll check later if there's a switch connected to it somewhere that is stuck or something. I didn't check the starter relay yet either. When I spotted the wires cut, I quit looking for any other reason for it not turning over.

 

Thanks guys, Bill

[kevin-vic-b.c.]

Thanks for the links Monty. I also have a '05 GS500 "for my boys" to ride. Had to tell the wife something before I brought it home...lol

 

I have an '80 GS850 parts bike, and it still has the harness and rectifier on it. I don't know if the rectifier worked or not, but you are welcome to it. If you can, take a picture of where the wires were cut. See how many wires/what colors, etc...

 

I belong to these sites. Tons of GS info here.

 

www.thegsresources.com

 

http://classicujm.forumakers.com/forum.htm

[mraf]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't a rectifier stop the battery from draining when the bike is off. My 72 Kaws battery kept draining if I let it set for a few days. Upon further inspection it didn't have a rectifier. Put one on, problem stopped. I would think that a bike would need one to start if it was wired in the starting circuit.

[Monty]

A rectifier "rectifies" AC to DC. Your stator puts out an AC voltage, but everything on your bike runs off of DC. THe rectifier converts AC to DC, and the regulator tries to maintain a constant, workable voltage, by reducing or eliminating fluctuations.

 

 

A parasitic drain is something which allows current flow even when the key is off. To look for this, place a test light or meter in series with the battery. Then, remove fuses one at a time until the light goes out. Most of the time, you can narrow the problem down to that one circuit.

[a1bummer]

A parasitic drain is something which allows current flow even when the key is off. To look for this, place a test light or meter in series with the battery. Then, remove fuses one at a time until the light goes out. Most of the time, you can narrow the problem down to that one circuit.

 

I've done this on lots of vehicles. Works like a charm.

[a1bummer]

Okay, after talking to my brother a few minutes ago. It turns out that the wires I found go to the original ignition module under the air cleaner. Not to the wiring harness like I had thought. Apparently it wouldn't run until he swiped the module from another bike. He said the plug was different so he snipped the plug off the original module and spliced it to the new module. He said it ran for while till it crapped out on him again.

 

Now the question is... how many different years and models used this module?

 

Thanks, Bill