SUZY is not cranking yet

[Matt B]

ok. 1981 GS1100E. Have all the lights working, blinkers working. Honda R/R unit wired in. Ran a good ground for the starter solenoid back to the battery negative. When I push the starter button...solenoid just clicks good and loud. On the solenoid....terminal closest to the battery is the positive battery cable, the terminal furthest from the battery is the starter cable. Solenoid is in stock location. Now I know it could be because I am using an old truck battery and jumper cables as power source right now.....don't actually have a battery in the bike itself...so my connections might not be adequate at moment. But SUZY is coming along nicely considering what she was when I got her.

[Steve]

Use an old screwdriver to short between the two big terminals on the solenoid. Yes it will arc when you do this.
If the starter turns now, you need to either clean the contacts inside this solenoid or consider getting another one.
If you choose to get a new solenoid, look at Lowe's or Home Depot, in the lawn tractor section. Same size, basically the same rating, they fit perfectly.

.

[Matt B]

i did take the 2 screws out of the top of this solenoid...but it did not come apart more than about 1/16 of an inch. it does crank if i jump the 2 big terminals. So lowes has solenoids....wonder if rural king does as well.....or local parts store.

[TheSilencer]

Anyone know what the Ampage rating has to be for the starter Solenoid?

Thanks!

[TheSilencer]

Thats for a 1981 GS450.

Thanks!

[SKD]

ok. 1981 GS1100E. Have all the lights working, blinkers working. Honda R/R unit wired in. Ran a good ground for the starter solenoid back to the battery negative. When I push the starter button...solenoid just clicks good and loud. On the solenoid....terminal closest to the battery is the positive battery cable, the terminal furthest from the battery is the starter cable. Solenoid is in stock location. Now I know it could be because I am using an old truck battery and jumper cables as power source right now.....don't actually have a battery in the bike itself...so my connections might not be adequate at moment. But SUZY is coming along nicely considering what she was when I got her.

honda r/r? what mod is that?

[gs road racer]

honda r/r? what mod is that?

Honda Rectifier/Regulator better replacement then stock search there's a bunch of info on here probably on Basscliff's site as well

[sparki]

or you could just buy an aftermarket version....

[TheSilencer]

Anyone know what the Ampage rating has to be for the starter Solenoid of a 1981 GS450?

[Danjal]

Anyone know what the Ampage rating has to be for the starter Solenoid of a 1981 GS450?

http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/gs/GS_GSX_250-400-450_Haynes.pdf

Check in there, this pc dosent view PDF files yet.

And thats the link off of BassCliffs site.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Good site to look at for GS owners. Bookmark it.

[bighamms]

@thesilencer... Not sure about ampage rating, but can personally vouch for the LOWES solenoid. I install one a few weeks ago after having the exact issue you are describing. The LOWES model is made by MTD. the mounting brackets, are exactly the same as the original solenoid. I believe I paid $12 for it.

May be the difference in years/model (i have an 81 gs450s), but on my bike the solenoid post closest to the battery is GROUND (black) and runs directly to starter. The outside post is HOT (red) and runs to positive terminal on battery along with another power wire containing a fuse.

Hope this helps

[Steve]

May be the difference in years/model (i have an 81 gs450s), but on my bike the solenoid post closest to the battery is GROUND (black) and runs directly to starter. The outside post is HOT (red) and runs to positive terminal on battery along with another power wire containing a fuse.

Hold on there, there is no ground terminal on the solenoid.

Concerning the two LARGE terminals on the top, one goes to the battery, you might consider that one always hot.
The other one goes to the starter, it will be hot when you push the starter button (and only while you hold the starter button).
Neither one of them should EVER be connected to ground.

.

[bighamms]

@ steve... sorry, i stand corrected. It is not grounded. the black runs to starter motor. Thanks for the correction.

[Steve]

Actually, in most of the bikes that have come through my garage, both of those wires were black.

And, ... the solenoid is grounded, but it's grounded through the case. Since the case is bolted to the side of the battery box, which is rubber-mounted, you have to make sure it has a good ground wire somewhere on the battery case.

.

[SKD]

Honda Rectifier/Regulator better replacement then stock search there's a bunch of info on here probably on Basscliff's site as well

thanks, i'll look into that one.