Motorcycle Repair: 1984 Aspencade wont start, starter solenoid, goldwing 1200

Question
My husband's bike (1984 Goldwing 1200 Aspencade) just left him stranded in another city.  Was running fine and he stopped to go into the store came out and tried to start her back up, will not start.  All electrical seems to be working, but says the he can't even hear the starter kicking in.  Any ideas?  I have someone going to pick him up and need to know if it needs to go to the shop or if is something we can figure out ourselves.  Thanks

Answer
Hi Angela.

Your husband could have one or more problems.

1)  A short in the starter circuit.

2)  Dirty start motor contacts.

3)  Dirty contacts in the starter switch.

4)  A bad starter motor.

5)  A bad starter solenoid.

If the bike is going to the shop, then they will know to check these things.  Many of these things are things that your husband could possibly check while waiting on transport.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON