Motorcycle Repair: Bike wont turn over, rectifier unit, starter solenoid

Question
Hi Bill,
I have a 1986 Honda Shadow VT 700. Was riding good last year then the battery went dead, charged it up rode 25 Mi. and no power. Dealer thought it was the stator so I replaced it.. same problem. I get dash lights and the headlight shuts off when I push the start button but nothing else. Could it be the ignition coil or starter relay? I checked all fuses and tried jumping the coil , which worked once but not again.Thanks

Answer
Charlie.... Doesn't say a lot for the dealership's repair department, if they are "guessing" at the cause of the problem.

On the back side of the battery tray is the regulator rectifier unit, which is far more likely to fail than a stator.   

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-vt700c-shadow-1986-us_model790/partslist/F++18.html

For a bike that "won't turn over" you need to follow the trail..

Battery... fully charged and able to pass a load test. Once a fully charged battery is installed in the bike, you can watch the voltage drop/draw when the starter circuit is activated. Once the bike is running, watch output voltage at battery to ensure that the charging system is working properly. Use this site's troubleshooting tree, if your dealer doesn't have a manual for your model.  http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/diagnosis/fault-finding-...

Starter switch... is it connecting to the starter solenoid. Often the starter button function, which does turn out the headlight during cranking can fail internally.

Starter solenoid... Jump across the big posts with a screwdriver or pliers to see if the power is going to the starter motor. If so, then the solenoid is bad or has bad connection.

Starter clutch.. bolted to the back of the rotor/flywheel
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-vt700c-shadow-1986-us_model790/partslist/E++08.html if it fails, then the starter motor will spin, but it won't connect to the crankshaft to turn the motor over.

Clutch switch... on the handlebar bracket. Safety switch needs to be working, otherwise no start.
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-vt700c-shadow-1986-us_model790/partslist/F++05.html   #8

Do not jump the ignition coil with 12v! Hopefully, you haven't damaged it.   

You have to look at the bike as a collection of systems....  Battery, charging, starter, ignition. Start with the beginning.. step-by-step...

Bill Silver