I know that this has been written about before but I try most of the things I read here (what I understood) like changing the starter relay which seem to be the biggest resolution given but my bike still just clicks but no start, I held the starter button down and after the click heard a slight hum for a sec or two but after that nothing. I am not a tech guy or mechanically incline, I have trouble understanding things and even more when I have to read it like diagrams. I am a visual learner and I looked everywhere to see if there is a video on how to trouble shot so I can fix it.
I bought this bike because I had a chopped up bobber one that I lost in super storm sandy, I kept the tins and bought this bike so I can bring my old bike back to life but it turns out it is more than I am capable of but now this bike has become my lively hood I use it to get back and forth from work so I need it running a lot more than I need looking the way it use too.
Please I need help.

sounds like a dead battery. Do you have a volt meter to check the battery voltage?

That's what I thought so I went to autozone bought does ready to use batteries but still no go (returned the battery). Finally I got old school took the cover off the starter and tapped a couple of times with a hammer. I gout a whine out of the bike like it was trying to kick over! So I am figuring the starter is bad but I removed the bolts to the bracket and removed the wire but no matter how much I pull I can't take it out!!! There has to be some trick to it!!!
But if you tap on it and it gives you a whine that has to be clear indicator that it's the starter. I know on cars in the seventies you did that and the cars would start but you knew it was time to change the starter then!!!

Take ur started off and take some jumper cables to see if it kicks in and spins see if it's working right

twobig4x4s wrote:
Take ur started off and take some jumper cables to see if it kicks in and spins see if it's working right

That may not tell the real story. I removed my starter a month back and tested it off the bike with jumper cables. Starter spun (clamped to table) off the bike but not when installed on bike. Opened up the starter and it was a burnt black mess.

I am pretty sure it's the starter. I would still like to run that test only for the experience so if anyone has a video or pics on how to do it I would appreciate it.


But my biggest problem now is how do I take the starter out? I removed the bolts from the bracket removed the wiring and pulled jiggled and shakes also retired a soft mallet and it won't come off. I keep hearing this suction wen I move it is there a trick to this???

I took mine off a couple of weeks ago for maintenance and had to twist it a little before it came loose. I twisted it to the right so the bottom bracket moved toward the front of the bike. Worked for me.

The grease has probably dried out on the O'ring that seals it to the engine. Be sure to grease it up good when you put it back. Also the end cap bushing needs to be greased.

Thanks I'll try that and I wil make sure everything is greased.

What about the decompression solenoid?

If you take it apart make a note of the lines on the housing and how they line up with the ends. Of special importance is the groove cast into the end plate that has to be lined up with a tang protruding from the brush holder assembly. Miss this and the starter will twist and warp the long bolts holding it together.