Motorcycle Repair: starting, merry christmas and happy new year, starter solenoid

Question
Hi Chris, I own a 2001 Yamaha V-Star 1100.  The starter will not disengage.  I have to unhook the battery to get the starter to stop.  When I hook the battery back up the starter immediately starts cranking again.  I took the starter apart and checked the armature, brushes windings etc., to see if anything looked like it was shorting out or was burnt.  It appears everything is O.K.  What in the world do you think could be wrong?  I have a Yamaha shop manual for my bike, but it does not address this issue.  Any advise you could offer would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Dennis.

Answer
Hi Dennis.

 The issue is not with the starter motor.  It is with either the starter solenoid or, more likely, the start switch.  Make sure that the start button isn't stuck or that the internal contacts in the switch are not shorting.  There could also be a short in the wiring near the start switch.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON