getting my 650r seca up and running

got my xj650r seca pretty much done. carbs complete, engine in good order. I cleaned the contacts
in the handle bar switches and used a multimeter to confirm that the switches were working.
the wiring harness I used looked in good condition, no obvious wiring damage or bad connectors.
I put a new battery in it. I turned the ignition key, the neutral green light lit up but when I pressed
the start button nothing happened. No horn either. I could get the engine to turn over by jumping the
solenoid poles with a screwdriver. Is there a bench test for a starter solenoid ? I have a few spares
and I would like to test them all to see which of them is junk before I go through all the circuits between
fuse panel and the starter button

 

Where you pulling the clutch lever in?

 

Any of the lights work? I had a similar issue when I restored my 650 Maxim. Turns out there is only one ground for the whole harness that bolts to the frame with the bolts that hold the coils in place. Since I had powder coated there was no clean metal and therefore I had no ground. The neutral light is grounded through the engine so that was the only thing working. If the ground from the motor to the frame and/or the main wiring ground is not making a good connection then you won’t have a lot of things working.

I don’t know if the Seca is the same but I suspect it would be.

 

Or something is not connected correctly in the headlight bucket. All the connections are pretty much shape/color specific, but there are a couple the could interchange. Doublecheck your clutch safety switch lead. I THINK that’s one that actually fits another plug.....

 

The best bench test you are going to get is on the bike so the solenoid delivers the full load to a starter. To test if the bike is in working condition just install and test.

If things aren't working then just check the solenoid by installing it and connect 12V to the 2 pin connector - the solenoid should engage and the starter / motor should spin.