Motorcycle Repair: 1981 starter solonoid or starter motor, rod aluminum, starter solonoid


Question
QUESTION: Jan: bike was running fine, shut it down..won't start. Solonoid clicking. Ordered a new 1.  Could it be anything else? Starter always "spins on" for a while but bike starts right away. 16,000 on this 2 owner bike. thanks

ANSWER: If the solenoid clicks it can only be a few things:  Either the solenoid itself is bad, which you will find out when the new one comes, or the battery doesn't have enough strength to turn the motor, this is most easily seen if the ignition lights go out completely when you try to start the engine.  You can also check the voltage drop when starting. Lastly the starter motor may be bad, this is a bigger job to replace but can be done with the engine in place, it is about a 20 minute job.  Let me know what you find,  Jan

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QUESTION: OK...I am trying to get the starter out.  There are only 2 bolts, but the starter seems frozen in place...can't see any other bolts holding it in.  Have a diagram of the starter assembly, but it does not show any other bolts other than the 2 long bolts, but those hold the starter cap on, they don't secure the starter to anything..thanks again.

Answer
You are right, only 2 bolts, and an 'O' ring which will hold the starter in place.  Take a long piece of rod, aluminum, hard wood or if nothing else is available, steel and tap from the other end of the engine against the front of the starter motor.  It will pop out.  Good luck,  Jan