i think i broke something (starter won't turn)

good afternoon everyone,

so, to the point: yesterday i was putting the carbs back on and thought
i'd give the engine a spin with the spark plugs out, to pump fuel into the
bowls and everything. hooked up battery, side-stand up, clutch in,
kill-switch @ "run", thumbed the starter and all it does is make the
starter relay buzz.

battery's fine, the only other thing out of the ordinary is the clocks are off
(together with front lights and the whole fairing/bracket unit), but that
surely can't have anything to do with it, can it?

so, any ideas?..

[Nicky S]

Originally Posted by m`baubz

the only other thing out of the ordinary is the clocks are off
(together with front lights and the whole fairing/bracket unit), but that
surely can't have anything to do with it, can it?

that should not matter.

dose it sound like the starter motor is stuck or is it just the relay making noise ?

[Nicky S]

are u sure the battery is a 100%

the starter motor is all still and quiet. the battery is ok and it's the same with a car battery
hooked up.

my quite limited electrical knowledge suggests, that for the relay to buzz like that, there should be a
short circuit somewhere between it and the starter or inside the motor itself... but shouldnt that blow
all the fuses within a twenty-metre radius ar something?

[Spikenipple]

Try bridging the connectors on the starter solenoid. If it turns over, your solenoid is shagged.

first i would try reconnecting the clocks and lights (not bolt them on of course), before messing about any further

[Nicky S]

Originally Posted by Spikenipple

Try bridging the connectors on the starter solenoid. If it turns over, your solenoid is shagged.

+1

Originally Posted by davepreston

first i would try reconnecting the clocks and lights (not bolt them on of course), before messing about any further

i didnt think this would make any difference

dont know but for example does your clutch safty switch run thru the clock wiring, or the kill switch, side stand switch which i would assume is connected cos of the neutral light possibly
i dont know for sure but a whole 30 secs to clip back on to check may save hours of pi55ing around

A relay or solenoid shouldn't really buzz.

I agree with Dave. Plug the clocks in and give it a whirl. I've got at least one bike which won't run without them (non SV)

ok, so i managed some garage time today.
first, disconnected the (+) lead from the starter. thumbed the switch, solenoid clicked once
and then once more upon release, as it should.
measured the voltage: fine.
connected everything back up: solenoid goes "tzzzzzzt"
pulled the starter out, hooked up directly to a battery: spins fine.
put it back into engine, again attached the battery directly, and it cranked the engine effortlessly.
put everything back together again and what do you know - turned over several times, a few puffs and coughs and start it did.

so, problem solved... itself.