Starter Check?

[crakerjax]

I bought my '81 GS1100 about a year ago as a first time motorcycle buyer. (Un)forturtunately I bought it from a friend who pieced it together from two junk bikes and have had non-stop repair bills since. I don't mind the repair bills, oil leak, battery charging problems or the fact that I can't get it to pass emissions... but, I need it to go VROooooooooM so I can get to work so that I can pay for the repair bills... I'm anxious and willing to keep the bike on the road and out of the junkyard.

Whining aside...

Presently I'm having a problem with the starter solenoid - I think. I have lights and spark off the battery, but when I hit the ignition button I get no 'click' or indication of the bike turning over... I've tried to bump start it but can't get it to catch and stay caught.

Is there a way to test the solenoid? I'm short on tools right now but have access if anyone can give me decent instructions. [-o<

[Jethro]

Yup, take a screwdriver (with a RUBBER handle) and bridge the two large contacts on the solenoid itself. That will tell you if the fault is with the solenoid itself or the many switches on the bar (clutch, ignition, right bar switch, starter button). I'll put money on it being one of those switches.

[spchips]

been there...

Had some ignition trouble for awhile, it was somewhere in the switches. Never figured out if it was key, button, or clutch.

Regardless, I had to start it often, so I came up with another way. Unplug the signal wire (the only one that's small on the solenoid) from the wiring harness and touch it to the big positive on the solenoid. Should work same as the screwdriver without having to carry it around.

[crakerjax]

Thank You

Thank you both for your response. I carry a tool bag on the bike so the screwdriver isn't an issue for me... taking off the "custom" side panel (diamond plate cut to fit) will be my issue, but I will definitely give it a shot this evening.

Thank you again.