Starter motor not working - think i have sorted it

My 2004 SV650s just died on me and refused to start, initally I assumed the battery had died so i replaced it, this seemed to fix the problem for a day or two but then the starter refused to spin again.
The symptoms were the ignition would come on and the fuel pump and lights seemed fine but pressing the starter resulted in just a single click from the starter solenoid (not the machine gun rat tat tat the solenoid makes when the battery is flat)
I tried bridgeing the starter solenoid with a spanner, not so much as a spark or a twitch from the starter, running a cable from the battery to the starters +ve bolt gave some small sparks but it was really corroded, i tried to undo the cable going to the starter but it just twisted the entire connector as it was rusted solid, but this seems to have effected a temporary repair.
I have a replacement starter coming from ebay and im considering getting a rebuild kit to fix the old starter as a spare http://goo.gl/9RnZF

I just thought id make this post incase anybody else is pulling their hair out with what looks like a flat battery/clutch switch/solenoid problem but isnt, dont forget to check the sorry state of the rusted blob that was once the positive connection of the starter motor

[DarrenSV650S]

Could be that the plastic insulator around the positive bolt has broken. Mine was cracked when I took it apart

[yorkie_chris]

Definitely broken now you have spun it around!

Try replacing that part, may not need a full rebuild kit.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Definitely broken now you have spun it around!

Try replacing that part, may not need a full rebuild kit.

Actually the slight twist seems to have restored functionality if only temporarily, and i looked at the cost of the suzuki connector part, a rebuild kit from ebay is cheaper, and sadly a secondhand starter is only £15 to £20 more expensive than the rebuild kit so that is the easiest option.

[yorkie_chris]

Risk with secondhand is some breakers aren't the most careful about removing things, or may not know that part needs gentleness.

I would get rebuild kit, but keep the original brushes if they are OK.