Motorcycle Repair: Honda CM400 Wont start, 1981 honda cm400, volt switch

Question
I have a 1981 Honda CM400 that was running until recently. I couldn't get it to turn over but I could get it jump started.  So I decided to buy a new battery but it doesn't even turn over now. I can still push start it, and the battery is hooked up correctly if that tells you anything.  I want to fix it myself, but I would like some advice on where to go from here. The starter or maybe the ignition?  I don't really know all that much about motorcycles, your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Michael,

Brandt

Answer
Brandt,
    Make sure your battery is filled w/ acid.  Often batteries are sold "dry" and need to be filled with battery acid and left to sit overnite.  Test your battery with a mutimeter, you should be reading 12-12.5 volts.  If this is so and the terminals are clean you can either have a short somewhere from your battery's positive terminal to the starter, a bad solinoid, a bad starter, a malfunctioning starter key switch or starter button, or a blown starter fuse.  Check the fuse first.  To test the starter, run a heavy gauge insulated wire from your positive terminal directly to the starter.  If it doesn't turn your starter is bad.  If it does you've narrowed it down to your
solinoid ( the low voltage/12 volt switch that is activated when you push the starter button that makes high current connection from your battery to your starter),  or your key switch or line from battery.  With a multimeter, check that there is 12 volts at the soliniod when you push the starter button (key in run position of course).  If you have voltage then your soliniod is bad, if not you need to find the short.

If you want to view these tests in detail pick up a copy of the manual for your particular bike from either "Haynes" or " Clymer".  They are a great resource for learning.

Hope this helps,
Mike