CX500 GL500 650 Global

Just joined and boy am I glad you guys are here. I have an 83 gl650 that has been sitting for 3 years. With gas prices being what they are I decided to pull it out of the shed and give it the TLC and riding time it deserves. This bike has been in my family for about 25 years and has about 13k miles. It has issues (won't start - carb problem, - it will fire when carb cleaner is sprayed directly into the carb while firing). I've removed and cleaned the carbs, but still no luck so I continue with that fight. It has been on it's side a few times from being blown over so there are some broken turn signals and the handle bars are bent a little. I would love nothing more than to have this bike running well so I've decided to give it the attention it needs. From snooping around it looks like people on the site are patient and I thank you in advance for that patience.
I usually have just enough knowledge to be dangerous to myself and those within a 15 foot diameter.
As an aside, I live in Sioux City, Iowa, and have a wonderful wife and 5 kids.
Frank.

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1983 GL650

Did you get fresh fuel?
Also get new plugs,they are cheap enough.

http://www.pdsrecording.site90.com/cxgl500/Plugs.htm

Clean every and ALL electrical connections.The age will have corroded them or left a patina on them,

http://www.pdsrecording.site90.com/cxgl ... ctrics.htm

Check Spark plug caps,

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=84

If you need a new pair(Recommended) they can be a bit tricky to find over there but this UK company are used by many in North America and are superb.Pick a few useful things if you do buy from them to cover postage,

http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/Honda/CX_500_A/79-80/

The spark plug caps on that page are none resistor types that will work with any model and are better than the resistor types(Less to go wrong/corrode).

Does the bike use a Vacuum Petcock?

If so,

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=290&hilit=vacuum

It may be preventing the fuel flow.

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My Music
http://www.reverbnation.com/pauldouglas

Thanks for the thoughts and the links.
I drained all the old fuel and put in fresh. Installed new spark plugs. I know there is a spark because if I open the choke and throttle and spray carb cleaner into the carb intakes (I took the air box off) it will start, rev up, and stay running if I spray into either carb. This tells me that both cylinders are firing. Before I put it away (3 years ago) it felt like it was firing on only one cylinder. When I took the carbs off I noticed the chokes between the carbs were not connected. One was always closed. I cleaned the carbs the best that I could and noticed that the left one was in pretty good shape, but the right one had a lot of deposits (this is the one that was stuck with the choke closed).
The vacuum petcock is functioning properly as fuel flows from it when the vacuum line is connected.
I will take your advice on the electrical connections.
I am leaning towards sending the carbs to Larry in California for a complete cleaning and rebuild. It makes sense to me to start the new life with pristine carbs.

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1983 GL650

Larry does do a great job.I prefer to fix my own problems though,but not everyone has the time.

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My Music
http://www.reverbnation.com/pauldouglas