Motorcycle Repair: solenoid on 1975 fxe, solenoid starter, starter relay

Question
Hi Mike, is there any way to check and see if the solenoid is working or not. It is on bike,I've wired this thing every way possible and nothing is happening. It dose feel a little warm to the touch after I connect battery and attempt to start bike.One other thing, on my electrical diagram from my manual there is a dotted line around the battery,solenoid,starter relay,starter motor---what is that all about;do I have to add more wires or splice some wires together---as always thanks for the time and support----Greg

Answer
The reason there is a dotted line in your book is in 75 there was a kicker bike and a electric starter bike. The dotted line is parts for the electric starter bike.
there are 3 wires top the solenoid. One from the batter, a small one from the starter relay and one to the starter. When you install the starter wire and the battery wire there should only be power at one post. If both posts are hot then you have to wires backwards. To test, first take a test light and see if you have power coming fron the starter relay when you press the starter button. If you do then you should have power goign to the starter at the other post. If no power then either the starter relay is bad or the starter button is not working.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike