Motorcycle Repair: Yamaha XS650 starting problems, grit sandpaper, coils pickup

Question
Chris,
I have recently bought a '82 yamaha xs650 that has been sitting for a few years now, the bike only has about 15k miles on it though. I have this bad habit of thinking I can fix everything, and this time it has got me into trouble. From the beginning the engine has good compression and spark. I try to start it using the electric starter, and after much effort (and starting fluid) the engine starts and runs for all of two seconds. I am thrilled until I try to crank it again. It turns over much slower this time, and after a few seconds it will not turn at all. I think that I may have siezed the engine up, but after repeated trying the engine cranks over again just very slowly and it always gets stuck after one full revoution. The engine also now makes a nasty metal against metal squealing sound when you try to crank it, and i have no idea what is causing the problem. It has plenty of oil, i dont know what would make it not turn over. Pls help Chris.

Answer
Hi Shawn.
 The XS series, in my humble opinion, have always been a little quirky in that respect.

 It sounds like you have one or more of a couple of problems.  You will need the repair manual for this, since it has test specs and wiring diagrams as well as other things that you will need to know to work on the bike.

1)  Short or other problem in the ignition system;  Check your wiring for shorts, fuses for faults/bad connections and check the ignition components (coils, pickup coils, etc) for failing or failed components.

1a)  Check your main power, from battery to ignition system and from battery to starter motor for shorts, bad connections, bad fuses and bad fuse connections and components.

2)  Starter motor: Remove and disassemble the starter motor.  Clean the contacts and regrease the shaft and bearings on the motor.  To clean the contacts, you may need a small piece of 1000 grit sandpaper.  Lightly sand the contact ponts till they are shiney again and make sure that you do the same with the brushes.

Start with that and see what you get.
Good luck.
FALCON