Any way you can get a good look inside the key switch? Your handlebar assembly actually looks very good, in terms of cleanliness.
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notmoving
XS650 Addict
I tried to find a way into the key switch. It all looks very complicated. I'd have to remove the handlebar and assembly, which I guess is what you're getting at. And I did not remove the plate. Thanks for the suggestion; I will.
Tomorrow. Night has descended!!
Tomorrow. Night has descended!!
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I don't think you have to remove the handlebars to get to the key switch but I'm probably wrong.
When you press the starter button, it grounds out the blue/white wire connected to it, so that's the connection I'd be checking, along with the ground wire running to it.
When I got my '78, the starter was totally dead. Turned out to be nothing more than a rusty connection of the heavy wire on the starter motor. The rubber protection boot had split, allowing water in, and it just got all rusty. I cleaned it up (removed the wire and wire wheeled the end of the cable and the stud on the starter), installed a good used rubber boot, and it's worked fine ever since (nearly 20 years now, lol).
When I got my '78, the starter was totally dead. Turned out to be nothing more than a rusty connection of the heavy wire on the starter motor. The rubber protection boot had split, allowing water in, and it just got all rusty. I cleaned it up (removed the wire and wire wheeled the end of the cable and the stud on the starter), installed a good used rubber boot, and it's worked fine ever since (nearly 20 years now, lol).
notmoving
XS650 Addict
Thanks, I'll check it tomorrow. But nothing is rusty or corroded. In fact, it looks relatively new. By which I mean: not an original component - like so much of the bike is.
I'm the third owner.
I'm the third owner.
The blue/white wire runs to the starter solenoid so check that connection too. Maybe the bullet connector is loose ......
Right side switchgear looks new to me. I suspect the issue isn't in the right side switch. There's instructions in the forum about stripping and cleaning the ignition switch. I followed it on my 77 650D and found it simple to do. Definitely recommended.
Word of warning about the starter motor cable terminal. Be careful undoing the nut that secures the cable under there at the starter motor. You need to look carefully as there's a second nut between the cable and the starter motor casing. You need to hold that nut and prevent it turning whilst you loosen the nut securing the cable terminal (that's how mine is anyay). Definitely fit a new rubber boot at both cable ends.
Word of warning about the starter motor cable terminal. Be careful undoing the nut that secures the cable under there at the starter motor. You need to look carefully as there's a second nut between the cable and the starter motor casing. You need to hold that nut and prevent it turning whilst you loosen the nut securing the cable terminal (that's how mine is anyay). Definitely fit a new rubber boot at both cable ends.
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notmoving
XS650 Addict
yes, it does look new. i want to clarify that I jiggled the cables directly going into the switchgear.
and i traced that cable to the headlamp, and directly alongside that is a thick loom(?) of wires going to the ignition switch and to the engine and just about everywhere.
would you please give me the link to caring for the ignition switch?
(not working on it today 'cause it's been raining, and my son had dropped another end-of-life-as-he-knows-it situation on the family)
and i traced that cable to the headlamp, and directly alongside that is a thick loom(?) of wires going to the ignition switch and to the engine and just about everywhere.
would you please give me the link to caring for the ignition switch?
(not working on it today 'cause it's been raining, and my son had dropped another end-of-life-as-he-knows-it situation on the family)
Kill switch comes apart to clean. When it won't start. go to the starter solenoid jump the two big terminals with a screw driver or such.
If it cranks when you do that, Then ground the blue white wire at the solenoid does that start it? If not problems in the start button/wiring.
No? check for 12 volts on the red wire at solenoid. report back?
If it cranks when you do that, Then ground the blue white wire at the solenoid does that start it? If not problems in the start button/wiring.
No? check for 12 volts on the red wire at solenoid. report back?
notmoving
XS650 Addict
I finally have the time to get back to this.
I'm not getting anywhere. All the connections look solid. By the solenoid, do you mean the spring below the start button? Or I am a complete buffoon?
I still can't imagine what I did simply by jiggling the wires. Nothing looks loose!
I'm not getting anywhere. All the connections look solid. By the solenoid, do you mean the spring below the start button? Or I am a complete buffoon?
I still can't imagine what I did simply by jiggling the wires. Nothing looks loose!
Attachments
notmoving
XS650 Addict
Thanks.
Where is the starter motor?
Where is the starter motor?
The positive cable off the battery goes to the solenoid.
A cable comes off the solenoid and goes to the starter.
Follow the bouncing ball
A cable comes off the solenoid and goes to the starter.
Follow the bouncing ball
notmoving
XS650 Addict
I don't have the skills to label a picture.
I will say that the rubber boots covering the cable (2) connections can be wiggled out of the way to expose the nuts that hold them on the solenoid and then you can jumper across those two solenoid posts to send juice down to the starter ala Gary's suggestion, use a screwdriver. That should crank the starter over if your battery is charged.
There's a blue/white wire that comes off the solenoid and travels through the harness to your starter button. Clean the bullet connector where that wire connects to the solenoid.
You have some rust on those connections. Disconnect the battery and clean them up. Also clean where the ground cable attaches to the frame. Rust and corrosion aren't your friend.
Terminology helps in any discipline. Got a manual?
I will say that the rubber boots covering the cable (2) connections can be wiggled out of the way to expose the nuts that hold them on the solenoid and then you can jumper across those two solenoid posts to send juice down to the starter ala Gary's suggestion, use a screwdriver. That should crank the starter over if your battery is charged.
There's a blue/white wire that comes off the solenoid and travels through the harness to your starter button. Clean the bullet connector where that wire connects to the solenoid.
You have some rust on those connections. Disconnect the battery and clean them up. Also clean where the ground cable attaches to the frame. Rust and corrosion aren't your friend.
Terminology helps in any discipline. Got a manual?
"notmoving", a very apt "handle" as that's what your bike will be doing soon unless you give it some "love", lol.
notmoving
XS650 Addict
notmoving
XS650 Addict
notmoving
XS650 Addict
No argument here, 5twins. When measured against the majority of the enthusiasts and gurus here, I should just stick to the shadows.
The solenoid is that small black plastic "box" that the 2 heavy cables are connected to. Follow that heavy cable on the right to it's ens and you'll find the starter motor (under the engine).
And to answer your 2nd question, that thing is the starter/headlight safety relay. It's two little relays built onto one bracket. One is the auto-on headlight relay, turning the headlight on once the bike is running. The other is the starter protection relay, stopping the starter from engaging once the motor starts.
And to answer your 2nd question, that thing is the starter/headlight safety relay. It's two little relays built onto one bracket. One is the auto-on headlight relay, turning the headlight on once the bike is running. The other is the starter protection relay, stopping the starter from engaging once the motor starts.
notmoving
XS650 Addict
Ok, so I guess what I labeled as the motor is actually the solenoid? Because it cranked when I accidentally touched the two cable leads together.
