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Motor bike will not start?

I have a kawasaki 550 gt 1997, the bike will not start I have a brand new battery so there is plenty of live there, when I push the stater button there is a clicking noise, I think from the solenoid. The bike will start if I push it but it seems to be getting harder to start can anyone help please Mark.

Mark Brooks
January 2008
Ten years is long enough for the starter carbon brushes to have worn out. Try connecting a spare fully-charged 12v battery (could be off a car, doesn't have to be a bike item) across (or in place of) the bike's battery and see if that spins it up. If it does, then like John says the battery is dying. If not then the solenoid could be shot: identify the heavy cable coming in from the battery and the similar one going to the starter. Use a heavy spanner, pliers etc. to bridge across the terminals (you'll get a few sparks but don't panic, it's only 12V, it won't bite) - if the motor brushes are OK it'll spin up, suggesting the solenoid is kaput.
The other thing that could conceivably cause it is a very poor earth connection from battery to frame or frame to engine - if the starter doesn't get a good earth return to the battery it's the same as it getting a poor 12v feed. To check this, temporarily connect a thick length of wire between the battery negative and the starter casing while you press the go button :O)

Wedg1e
January 2008
The clicking noise you here is indeed from the solenoid and it means 1 of 2 things. 1) The battery doesn't have enough charge in it 2) The starter motor has seized, or its drive gear has. See if you can remove the starter, connect it back up, press the start button and it should spin fast.

John
January 2008

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