How can I test the starter while it's in the bike?

Uglies

XS650 Enthusiast
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I'm having some issues with a 81 xs650 , the battery is new and when I go to start it the relay clicks. The lights and speedo all work and when I took the starter cable and touched the positive side of the battery it didnt spin.

Is there a way to test the starter with it still on the bike?
 
You just did. Direct cable form the terminal on the starter to the battery positive. If nothing happens, starter is bad.
 
Check your grounds, especially the battery to frame strap. I find about 1/2 of them are junk. Frame to engine connection also matters, oddly 6 bolted connections aren't always enough. :unsure: We've a seen a few times where the starter attempted to ground through the small black ground wires, that gets ugly fast.
I'm a fan of "grab a big screwdriver and short the large solenoid terminals" test.
Other gotchas are the cable to starter connection and occasionally, the starter gets filled with motor oil. That usually exhibits as slow starter action and a distinctly "liquid" sound during operation.
 
You do need an offset wrench to get that last bolt out. The one in the set from Harbor Freight works. There are two different styles of bolts that hold the starter in, so note where they go.
 
Not fun but doable, I bent up a cheap 12mm wrench with a propane torch for that last bolt.
Hint when reinstalling the 4 mounting bolts should be in before the starter is fully in place.
Think chainsaw juggling. :lmao:
 
You may not need to buy a new starter. It could be just crusty, rusted, and/or oil got past the seal, etc. You may be able to rebuild it. Taking it apart isn't too difficult, and while I haven't done it in a while, but pretty sure you can get seals for it still.
 
Did you pull the dust cover off the power terminal? Here's what mine looked like. If yours looks like that, I'd try a new cable before you remove the starter.

1.5.jpg
 
Yes, that was the issue with mine when I got it, that cable connection on the starter motor was all corroded and the starter didn't work. The rubber boot covering it was split so water was able to get in (and obviously did, lol). I cleaned it all up and it's worked fine for many years now.
 
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