No Start before a trip -_-

I was about to head out to enjoy this 4 day weekend and my bike won't start.
Its an 82 650

When the starter button is depressed, the oil level light comes on, the solenoid clicks, but nothing happens. I had suspected something like this would happen as it has been happening while on the center stand but if I tipped it to the side stand then it would "Get enough oil" to trick the sensor. Problem is that there has been more oil than can be viewed in the sight glass the whole time (leaky valve cover, whole other story). Its not the kickstand switch, that was cut off years ago and the relay removed. The bike starts when I start it with a screwdriver to the solenoid, and it has enough voltage in the battery, and the fuses are good. Im probably going to go on this trip anyway and just push start/remember to park at the top of a hill.....wouldn't be the first trip like that, but not on this ol girl. Would the oil level switch really prevent the bike from starting, or would it just indicate low oil?

 

your oil level light is made to come on during the start to test the oil light.

if you think the oil switch is sticking add some seafoam to clean out the gunk.

you have a bad solinoid if it clicks and does not turn the starter.

you have to find why you have excess oil unless you are just overfilling to compensate for leak. you may have fuel leaking into the crankcase

FIX the leaky valve cover gasket

 

I overfilled to compensate while I was on a trip, when I got home I immediately fixed the gasket. So my best bet is to swap out with a new solenoid?

 

Have you checked for corrosion or oxidation on the starter circuit?

I'm not an expert on M/C maintenance, but on a car, if the starter works when jumped directly to the battery, but the solenoid only clicks, it is usually a sign of bad solenoid.

Plus two on fixing the valve cover leak to stop loss of oil. Valve gaskets are easy to replace and not too expensive. While you are under the valve cover, check your valve clearance if its not been done while in your possession.

 

looks like your 4 day weekend just got a little more interesting . . . .

 

So it turns out these solenoids dont like to be taken apart. Ill have to get a new one now

 

Not sure how tipping the bike makes the starter button work if oil level and switch isn't involved. Not aware of a bank angle sensor on these bikes.
But if you jump the BIG solenoid terminals with a screwdriver an the starter engages, its definitely the solenoid switch.
Speak to the boss man Chacal, he has what you need.

 

Thats what I was afraid of. Nothing against Chacal but every time I order from him it ends up costing $350. Kid in a candy store.

Also tipping it to the side stand somehow helped before. That may be indicative of a wire running along the frame somewhere getting pulled or something. There are definitely no angle sensors on this bike...unless you want to imagine the turn signal canceler as one.

 

Chacal isn't always the cheapest, but it is always the correct part