Motorcycle Repair: starting problem, starter solenoid, starter relay

Question
hello and thank you for offering this service free when so many others would just as soon tell you to get lost B-4 they would give free advice.

well, here is my problem. the other day (Friday) I was riding and all of a sudden my 1997 883 Sportster just started to lose power. it felt just as it did once B-4 when i had a short in the headlight bucket. I pulled over and tried to find the short in the wiring mess in there,(not a mess anymore) to no avail. I trailered it home and went to work on it the next day. I come to findout that my battery positive cable is shot out down near the starter. I went and bought another one and came home and put it on. I turned on the key and I have lights again but when I tried to start it, it does not do anything (no clicks, no starter function at all). Like I said, I have lights but the starter does nothing. I dont even get a dimming when i tried to start it. This is really frustrating.(especially since there has been awesome riding weather and I'm stuck home pulling out my hair trying to figure this out.) Any help you could give me will be appreciated. If you have any questions dont hesitate to send me an email and i'll do my best to answer.

Thank you in advance,
Allen Estrada
From California
1997 883 HD Sportster
Pretty stock, a few modifications but nothing major. just duel brakes in front, different mufflers and the like.


Answer
Sounds like you dont have any power to the starting system. First, make sure you have a good ground at both the battery and the grounding point. Next, with a test light check the post at the starter to make sure it is hot. If that is ok, then check the wire going from the starter switch to the starter relay. When you push the starter you should get 12 volts. If that is ok, then check the wire from the starter relay to the starter solenoid, when you push the starter button to make sure it is hot. If no power here then the starter relay is bad. If you have no power going to to the relay then check the starter button to make sure it is good.
If all the above checks out fine then you have a bad starter.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike