Motorcycle Repair: starter getting hot &smoking 750 honda shadow, spark plug wire, 750 honda

Question
i got this 83 free. ive been trying to diagnose the hard start problem and see why this pig only runs on one cylinder. after removing &cleaning the starter because it was drawing a lot of amps, i put the starter back in and it does the same thing barely turning over. the brushes and starter components looked good.I also just put a new battery in it. any ideas thanks bruce

Answer
Hi Bruce.
 First, let's address the starter problem.

 When any component, like that, draws excessive amps, that means that there is a short somewhere in it or the wiring to it.

 Chase down the wiring, both visually and with a multimeter, for one or more shorts.  Then bench test the starter and see what it does.  If there is a static test for the starter in the repair manual, then do it.

Chances are that you will have to replace the starter or rebuild it.  If you rebuild it, you may want a pro to do the job.

As far as the non-firing cylinder, check the wiring to that coil for a short, then perform the static test for the coil, which is in the repair manual.  If the coil is out of spec, then replace it.  My guess is that it is out of spec, but check it before you replace it.  Also check the spark plug wire if it is a seperate (removable) component from the coil.

Even if it costs you a couple hundred in parts to get the bike running and all, it is still a steal.

Good luck.
FALCON