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Having trouble determining why my bike won't start. Started acting finicky since the spring...little buzz outside the battery area when it started. Had to charge the battery more than once to get it started a couple of times. Turn the key...nothing. But when I hook up the battery to the charger, it only takes about an hour to say it's fully charged. What gives? I tried leaving it connected to the charger longer, but it didn't help. Somebody told me carbon buildup in the engine from driving with too much choke can do this, but the buzzing makes me think it's something electrical. The connections are clean and secure.
I read a little about it. What is a solenoid, and is it hard to replace? I'm game to work on this. Little bit ashamed I didn't take care of the bike properly -seems like poor maintenance. Any advice?

My guess is a bad battery.

Sounds like the battery to me. If you have a voltmeter you can place the leads across the battery terminals (red lead to positive post, black lead to the negative terminal) The meter should read a little over 12 volts. Now turn the ignition on (meter reading may drop a little) and hit the starter. If the voltage drops below say 9 volts your battery is bad.

Okay, so my dad came over with his voltmeter (is that the same as a multimeter?....duh) and tested the battery. Only registered about 10 volts an when I tried to charge it again, it was dead as a proverbial doornail. The good side of all this is 1) I'm learning to take better care of my bike (or maybe all things that belong to me...and we could start a philosophical discussion about that some time) and 2) I rediscovered this cool independent bike shop only a couple blocks from my house. So, if worse comes to worst I could push it over there.
As it is, I ordered a new battery, and they are charging it up for me as I write this post. So tomorrow, I will put my beloved bike back together and try to start it again.
Wish me luck, guys, and I will keep you posted. (literally, figuratively, and virtually as it were)
Lady Di

ladydinah wrote: So, if worse comes to worst

I like you already!

Hey, no problem! Bought a new battery and now the bike starts like a dream. Rode around all Saturday morning, and didn't want to come back home. You know, this is a great little motorcycle (250 honda rebel) It is just so easy to ride and nice and light. It's a basic motorcycle I guess, but seems just fine to me. If I spent more time on the highway, I guess I'd need something with a little more gumption, but since I mostly ride around the city, it does just fine.