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My motorcycle started fine earlier today. Came out of work and hit the start button but it wouldn't turn over. All I got was an electrical/buzzing sound. Is my starter shot or is there a solenoid somewhere that could be bad? How can I do this myself if possible? You can message me here or fell free to text me me with your help it would be highly appreciated 412-980-7948.

Also have an issue with an oil leak top right of motor hex bolt right behind the right side spark plug. Is this a cam tension bolt or something else and does it have an bad o-ring that could be allowing it to leak? Thank you for your help.

Solenoid or dead battery, or at least that's been my issue when I heard those noises.

Bad connection at the battery could also cause this. Connections need to be shiny (wire brushed to shiny) clean and tight.
A low/dead battery would also give this symptom.
And finally the solenoid malfunctioning would sound like this. This is the least likely cause.

Sorry for having to post more but it might not be obvious that when I said connections must be shiny I mean that you take the wires off the battery posts, wire brush the surfaces that have to touch each other then put them back. Wire brushing the outside of the terminals without taking them apart would be following my instructions but wouldn't accomplish anything useful.

appreciate the quick response. Where is the starter located is it at the front of the motor? Any clue about the bolt on the CB650 inline 4 that i was talking about that's leaking oil?

dstylz7 wrote:appreciate the quick response. Where is the starter located is it at the front of the motor? Any clue about the bolt on the CB650 inline 4 that i was talking about that's leaking oil?

You really need a service manual.

I'd start looking for the starter on the back side of the cylinder bank over the transmission. But I don't know that engine and it could be somewhere else. It's a cylindrical lump with a heavy wire going to it. But don't mess with it until you've exhausted the other possibilities. The other things are MUCH easier to mess with and are the more likely things to have failed so do them first.

Bolt- see your service manual.

The experienced mechanics can find stuff because they have experience. They got most of that experience by using service manuals when they didn't have experience.

Thanks Ron. I'm gonna jump the battery tomorrow and see if that makes the starter kick. If so, then I'll know my battery is week. Simple stuff first.

I had a CB650C from that year. It was so riddled with electrical problems that wouldn't stay fixed that I gave up and bought a new bike.

Good luck.