PLEASE HELP! No start just click...

Hey guys,

I have a 1981 KZ750 four. Whenever I go to start it, I press the run button and all I get is a single click. That is it. I have already replaced the starter solenoid. Any ideas? TIA.

-Josh

How old is the battery? Are the cables(large gauge wires) clean and tight? Has the battery been fully charged and then load tested at a motorcycle shop? Check the ground connection at the frame/engine for loseness.

Do not use a charger rated to recharge car batteries as they will boil the fluid in the battery and/or warp the plates ruining the battery. Motorcyle batteries should not be charged at no more than 2 amps.

A trusted brand of charger for motorcycle batteries is "Battery Tender" it will charge a battery at not more than 1.25 amps and then switch to a lesser charge to maintain the battery.

Another suggestion is to look at the connections at the starter solenoid as they get loose from vibration. A replacement from the dealer may be $100. I recommend taking the old solenoid to the riding lawnmower shops and see what might fit. Their solenoids are usually under $20 and with a little change to how it mounts or wires up you can be back on the road.

Charge up the battery. Connect a voltmeter to the battery and press the starter button: if it drops below about 9V, the battery is toast.

thanks for the responses guys, every once in a while the bike will turn over, do you guys still think it could be the battery?

yes, you need to fully charge the battery, and check it as described, also make sure the water level is full.
and double check the ground cable to the engine from the battery

start with that,then just jump across the solenoid to see if it does anything that will eliminate your starter button from the picture.