Suzuki 2 Strokes

This is a really newbie question but what do the two positions on the ignition do and which one is to run the bike? I insert the key and on the first position the lights come on, I have been able to start it but it dies after a while. In the second position only the rear tail light is on, I haven't been able to turn it on in this position. The bike will turn on with the choke on but it seems to die after a while (on the first ignition position). Should I be revving the engine to warm it up?

The second position is "park" the engine will not run in that position. The theory is so you have a light to warn oncoming drivers if you are stopped on the side of the road. People call it the "hit me" light. There's been NTSB studies that show people sub-consciously drift toward a steady red light. That's why police and fire departments started putting yellow lights on the back of their vehicles and motorcycle manufacturers stopped putting that position on the ignitition switch.

As far as the running problem, if it will only run with the choke on that means it is very lean. Most likely the carbs need a thorough cleaning. Probably wouldn't hurt to put in a new set of plugs (properly gapped of course) at the same time you're cleaning the carbs.

Hope this helps!

I thought the second position - tail light only was found on European models only? On the 2 GT550's I've owned, the second position did nothing.

Coyote wrote:I thought the second position - tail light only was found on European models only? On the 2 GT550's I've owned, the second position did nothing.

My '73 GT750 and my clients '79 goldwing both have it and it works, as well as many others I've worked on in the past. On more modern bikes it may be a euro only thing, my '01 GSXR does not have it and I can't remember if my '90 katana 600 had it, but I'm pretty sure it did.

Thanks!