Questionwent out to start the bike 30min. ago. was riding fine yesterday. key on, started to crank then - nothing but drawing high amps thru battery. solenoid energizes, engine wont turn.
worse case? bad starter motor/locked engine. how to determine either?
AnswerWalt, Jump across the solenoid posts, so that you are directly connecting the battery to the starter motor. If all you get is big sparks and no motion, then the starter motor needs to be replaced, unless the motor is locked up.
Pull the front cover off to access the end of the crankshaft, so you can put a wrench on the crankbolt to see if it has seized for some reason. A leaking head gasket can fill a cylinder and turning it over will hydraulic a connecting rod... worst case scenario.
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-gl1100-gold-wing-1980-us_model649/partslist/E++01.htm...
Pull the spark plugs and take a peek at them. Try to turn the motor over with the rear wheel, transmission in low gear with the plugs out.
Pull the valve covers to see if anything is amiss there. Check timing belts to be sure one hasn't broken.
http://www.goldwingdocs.com/index.asp
http://www.randakks.com/TechTip69.htm
http://www.randakks.com/TechTip54.htm
Bill Silver
