Won't start

[Dalydude]

This Spring I started my bike up after the long Winter's nap. It started right up, and after a minute or two I shut it down because I forgot to check something.

When I tried starting it up again all I got was "click". It's a new battery (took it back to the store and they checked it out OK). I replaced the starter relay with a known good one...still "click".

So, I put a voltmeter to the battery, good voltage, but when I checked voltage from battery to starter motor I got 13-ish volts, and when I push the starter button, I get 0 (zero) volts! Shouldn't it be the other way around? And if there's voltage to the starter motor, why doesn't the starter motor start whizzing as soon as I turn the key?

The relay is connected properly (hard to do it wrong with huge "Motor" and "Batt") displayed!

What's going on?

[OldguyGlen]

Not sure of your voltmeter connections? You had the red meter wire on the battery, and the black meter wire on the starter terminal? If so, you have a bad starter motor. I would put the red meter wire on the starter terminal, and the black meter wire on ground. I expect you will see 0 volts initially, then 12 volts when you push the start button. If so, the answer will be the same... bad starter motor. Try banging on the starter with a hammer handle. (that might jar stuck brushes loose). You could jumper a heavy wire from battery to starter terminal... if no motor spin... same answer... bad starter motor.

[Dalydude]

Red was on battery, black was on starter terminal.

Except for banging a hammer on anything, I'll have a go at all that. Stay tuned!

[Dalydude]

Test results...
Switching red/black from terminal to starter = a negative voltage reading. (I kinda expected that, but it's worth a try)

Red meter wire and black on ground behaved exactly as you predicted!

Heavy wire (jumper cable) from red battery terminal to starter post = silence...starter did not work.

Good thing there's a wonderful tutorial on removing and overhauling the starter!

Thank you for your awesome advice! I'm thankful I discovered it in my garage, rather than on an adventurous trip through Death Valley!

[biguns]

I would pull the plugs and turn the kill switch to off then turn the key on to start and see if it doesn't blow fuel out the plug holes it doesn't take much to lock up an engine but don't forget to put the handle bar switch to off.

[Dalydude]

Success!
A new starter motor from Dennis Kirk, and it spun right over. The old starter failed all the voltmeter tests, and commutator was so messed up it couldn't (or shouldn't) be resurfaced/overhauled.

I saw those $60 starters on Amazon, but the "1 star" reviews painted an ominous picture. This one was made in Taiwan and cost a wee bit over $200. Still, fingers crossed...

Now, two new exhaust gaskets, and a couple new nuts holding the exhaust pipe to the frame I booggered trying to get them off, and I'll be ready to reinstall the exhaust and engine protection bar (which need to be installed at the same time) and I'm ready for a ride!

Goldwingdocs comes through again!