'79 XS won't start

exmagnarider

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Hi All -

I'm working on getting an old XS project bike running again and in trying to get it to turn over I'm having a problem, hopefully someone can help.

We've recently done a rebuild on the top end so everything there is fresh. Just put in a new battery and wanted to see if the bike would turn over. Turning the ignition on turns on the tail light and blinkers (no headlight, could be the bulb is toast, haven't bothered to replace it yet) so there's power. When we hit the starter we get one solid click from what looks to be the starter safety relay (see attached), with another click when you take your finger off the starter button. My guess is that this is our culprit and it needs to be replaced. We've also placed a hand near the starter when hitting the starter button and there doesn't seem to be any power reaching the starter, which would make sense. Has anyone else run into this, and does it sound like the safety starter relay needs to be replaced, and is this indeed the starter safety relay?
 

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  • Starter Safety Relay.jpg
    Starter Safety Relay.jpg
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I would check so there is spark at the plugs kicking the kick starter
please do the read up how --- it depends on what electronic is installed
grounding plugs

Then put back the plug and start it via kick starter.
If that succeeds there is confirmation some parts of the wiring is OK.
The lights on an no Headlight points to other problems
Stock bike ? And Wiring ? Battery Charged ?
 
Starter solenoid will click with low battery voltage.
Yep. These solenoids are pretty robust little units... hardly ever fail. It could be the solenoid, but more likely a weak battery or corroded terminal at the battery, solenoid or starter.

Try jumper cables or a new/recharged battery before replacing the solenoid.
 
Thanks for the replies! I’ll make sure we get the starter connected that makes sense. It’s definitely not the battery that’s brand new, just dropped it in before the scenario above. The bike did have some mods prior to our purchasing it and working got disconnected while rebuilding the top end so it makes sense that things may not have been connected properly afterwards.
 
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