1977 GS550 starter seems to short out at the points??

[PAGS550]

just got 77 GS550 out of long hibernation...when using starter it seems like its shorting at the points...when kick starting it sends spark to plugs and starts right up....any ideas???

[Steve]

My first question would be "at what points is it shorting?"

I was not aware that a starter even had "points".

The only "points" that I am aware of on a '77 550 would be the ignition points, and they have nothing to do with the starter.

What is the condition of the battery? Even if it was connected to a proper battery tender, a "long hibernation" (just low long was it?) is still not good for a battery. Try using jumper cables (to a non-running vehicle, please) to see if it starts easily. If it does, your battery is shot.

One last point: it has been in a "long hibernation", yet it starts and runs (when kicked)?
Congratulations on at least treating the carburetors properly.

.

[PAGS550]

breaker points !!!

brand new battery...rolls fast and sure....when using electric start it appears to be some arcing in the breaker points and plugs get no spark....when using kick start no arcing and it sparks gr8 and fires right up...sorry for confusion over wat points...i am not familiar with other points on these but it is my first gs550

[Steve]

Check your ground wire from the engine block to the chassis and battery.

.

[Pendulum]

I agree w/ Steve. Sounds like a bad ground.

I'd remove the engine ground, and take the whole wire and both bolts down to a local car audio shop. Tell them you need a new ground cable with the same terminals. They'll hook you up pretty cheap.

Or, you could be like me and just kick start it every time