Starter?

So since I've had my bike, sometimes I'd have to hold my starter button for a second or two before the starter starts kicking over. Other times it would turn over right away. Either way, today I think it bit the dust. No matter how many times I push/hold the button, the oil light comes on, but nothing else happens. No click, not any kind of attempt at starting. I had to have push start to get me home.

So anyways I'm assuming the starter is shot, since the button seems to work. ( oil light always comes on when I push the button, goes off when started )

But I think I heard something about cleaning the brushes or something? Will that help me in my situation or is something else wrong? Any write ups? I cant afford a service manual right now.

Thanks guys so much!

 

Sounds more like your starter solenoid. I'd look at that first before declaring your started toast. Do you know how to bypass your starter solenoid with a screwdriver?

 

I found my picture in case you don't...



Make sure the bike is in neutral before doing this.

 

My bike had worn starter brushes and would refuse to turn over but I all ways heard a click from the solenoid.

Not getting a "click" when you press the button sounds like a dirty switch or bad soleniod to me. I think you may want to try cleaning your starter button then checking your starter solinoid. Check that you are getting power to the post on the starter when the button is pressed. Connect a test light or voltmeter from the post to ground and press the button. If you don't get a light or voltage indication, your starter is not getting power. Clean the starter button and all of the connections and try again.

You might also check you starter safety circuits to make sure you don't have a bad side stand or clutch safety switch if your bake has them.

 

My guess is either corrosion on the starter button, or, as it was in my case, the starter relay was bad

 

Turns over right away with the screwdriver trick! Thanks everyone! Looks like I'll take the switch apart while I put my clubmans on.

 

You may find this usefull: HOW TO: Test your starter circuit.