Motorcycle Repair: 1985 VT700 starter button, starter solenoid, clutch lever

Question
Hello, I can't get my bike to crank using the starter button. It worked for about 4 or 5 short time cranks while priming the bowls, and then stopped. Thinking it was the starter/solenoid I disconnected the 2 small wires to the solenoid and jumped it with another battery, to see if it would energize while the bike stayed connected to its own new battery. It cranks great. Not ready for starting yet as there is no fuel in the bowls after winterizing. But when connecting the push button back, it just dims the headlight...no crank at all.  The wiring schematic in the Clymers, shows an ignition fuse. Where? The Main 30A is good and the four others, located in the instrument panel between the speedo and tach, are for lights and oil/neutral and are all fine. Can the rectifier/regulator cause the push button not to work.
Hope you can solve this puzzle.
Thank you

Answer
Bud, the starter button does two functions.... button out HEADLIGHT ON. Button pushed IN.. headlight OUT and starter button activates starter motor. There are safety switches on the clutch lever bracket and diodes in the circuit, that can prevent starter function. Starter button functions are common failures.

Check www.cmsnl.com for parts numbers and illustrations of the parts involved.

Bill Silver