Total Motorcycle Community Forums

gerpena wrote: i hooked up my meter and when i tried to start i saw the reading across the meter was around 12 volts

A bike needs a specific number of volts to start - If you are UNDER that voltage the starter won't spin - 11.8 volts won't do it - usually 12.1 volts won't either.

Clean all connections in the circuit- from the battery terminals all the way through- everything. Charge the battery and try to start it with the charger on to make sure you have the voltage. If it starts, try it without the charger. If thisis the case, ya' needs a new battery.

nitrus wrote:If the starter motor clicks, you've got power to it.. the problem is most likely on the ground side of the circuit.. Check your grounds.

Have to agree with nitrus. Check that battery terminals are clean and tight and check your grounds are clean and tight too.

If your starter motor gear is stuck in mesh you might try putting bike in gear and rock it back and forth that can often free it up and does less damage than hammering it.

if the problem is in fact the battery (and i sure hope it is) shouldnt i be able to jump start the bike with my car?

i tried to and no luck. just the same clicking sound. i took it to an auto parts store and they said the battery took the charge just fine.

should i take out the starter motor and clean it out?

I replied on your other post before reading this one. I had much the same problem on my old magna, the starter went out on it and I asked around trying to find a new one. Everybody wanted over $300, so I had it rebuilt instead. Cost me $80, if it is your starter take my advice and have it rebuilt.

mustangski wrote:I replied on your other post before reading this one. I had much the same problem on my old magna, the starter went out on it and I asked around trying to find a new one. Everybody wanted over $300, so I had it rebuilt instead. Cost me $80, if it is your starter take my advice and have it rebuilt.

how did you determine it was your starter and not some other electrical problem like the battery? thats kinda where im stuck now. if it is the starter, i dont mind having it rebuilt, i would just like to make sure before i start shelling out 100 bucks.

Pongo wrote:If your starter motor gear is stuck in mesh you might try putting bike in gear and rock it back and forth that can often free it up and does less damage than hammering it.

It's not a matter of it being stuck in the mesh. My van's starter had a weak solenoid which prevented the gear from engaging the flywheel. A simple rap with a tire iron knocked it free so it could extend, engage, and start. It's probably not the cause of his problem, but it's a really simple test and requires no disassembly. Just rap on it and try the starter button.

ZooTech wrote:

Pongo wrote:If your starter motor gear is stuck in mesh you might try putting bike in gear and rock it back and forth that can often free it up and does less damage than hammering it.

It's not a matter of it being stuck in the mesh. My van's starter had a weak solenoid which prevented the gear from engaging the flywheel. A simple rap with a tire iron knocked it free so it could extend, engage, and start. It's probably not the cause of his problem, but it's a really simple test and requires no disassembly. Just rap on it and try the starter button.

No probs mate.

I've been known to use "Tool-fine adjustment-hammer" and rap a startermoter too.

gerpena wrote:

mustangski wrote:I replied on your other post before reading this one. I had much the same problem on my old magna, the starter went out on it and I asked around trying to find a new one. Everybody wanted over $300, so I had it rebuilt instead. Cost me $80, if it is your starter take my advice and have it rebuilt.

how did you determine it was your starter and not some other electrical problem like the battery? thats kinda where im stuck now. if it is the starter, i dont mind having it rebuilt, i would just like to make sure before i start shelling out 100 bucks.

first, check all of your grounds with a meter. Have someone who knows how to use a meter help you, and then pay attention so you get a general idea how to use one.

Then, put the meter on the starter side of the solenoid and try to crank the bike over. Is it getting the proper amount of juice or is it bottoming out down to like 3-4 amps? If its getting the right amount of power to the starter, then look to the starter as the culprit.

if its botoming out you have a bad cell in the battery, or a bad ground.

whatever you do, dont start waisting money replacing "poo poo" until you know it needs to be replaced or rebuilt.

I use to have the same problem with my Nighthawk. The clip that goes into the solenoid was pulling just slightly out, enough to break connections. I taped up the solenoid to hold it together well, and sprayed a little WD-40 inside, and never had problems again. This is a recurring problem on older Hondas so check that out. Try just holding the clip into the solenoid with your hand and see if she starts.