'79 Suzuki GS425; been sitting awhile, no spark

[magnavia]

Hey guys,

I'm new to motorcycling and recently got my license. Someone nearby was selling a '79 Suzuki GS425 for a good price and I picked it up for only a few hundred as its been sitting for many years and needs some work.

I tried starting it up, compression is good, plugs were changed, put fuel into the cylinder, etc but we found out there is no spark.

I have heard this bike has points, but I'm not sure where to find them. Any idea where to look first when there's no spark?

[Johnj]

Your going to need one of these.

Look for a round cover on the right side of the motor.

[magnavia]

Yep, I'm definitely working on getting one of those service manuals. I'm just not sure if I should go with the official used 'GS400/425 Service Manual' or with a Clymer's.

I'm guessing the official service manuals have less 'how-to' steps and more technical information, which may not really be too useful for me. Any thoughts on that?

[tcreeley]

-check out bikebandit.com for oem parts and diagrams etc.
I like the factory service manuals. I never liked clymers because I always felt they left something out that was common knowledge to someone else. (used for cars), I've got a factory service manual for my 81 gn400 suzuki. It is geat.

I ended up buying coil, cdi, new carb, etc. my bike had been sitiing 19 years before I got it running again. Mouse nest in the air filter and carb was frozen, and corrosion in intake throat, rust in the gas tank, dead battery- just run each thing down. Good way to learn about your bike- and get a hand impact wrench that you hit with a hammer before you go and strip the phillip head screws- 14 dolars- sears. good luck.
tcreeley