Will not crank

[brkelley75]

Back story, I replaced head gaskets on my 1200 last spring. Rode all summer, and about Oct. One of them failed. I left it set all winter and just replaced the gaskets again. I turned it over by hand to line up timing marks before disassembly and when I put it back together and changed oil, charged battery etc, the dash lights and head lights come on but will not crank. I previously had issues with the starter and rebuilt it so I removed it to see if that was the issue. I bench tested it and it seemed very stiff but did turn over. I reinstalled it and checked again, still will not crank. Any ideas. I am about at wits end with it. I tinkered with it for almost two years to get the carbs almost perfect, now this. Thank you!

[DenverWinger]

Might check to see what's left of the starter brushes, the starter will be very weak if the brushes are worn out, usually draws excessive current, too. An inexpensive fix if so....

[brkelley75]

Thank you, I will do that.