electric start issue

kz900. i have a problem with electric starter. when i hit the start button i hear a little crackling noise just for a second down at the starter, then all my lights go out. i can try to kick start it a few times, mess around with stuff. turn the key off then on, then sometimes all the lights come back on. it will start with the kick start. and runs fine. it does this sometimes and sometimes it just starts right up. any ideas anybody. thanx

Check your battery connections, Sounds like a loose connection or a short. Also check the wires in the headlight sometimes they get chaffed up and short out. Also trace the wires from your right handlebar switch to where they plug in under the tank and make sure all connections are good

thanx ill look at the wiring. thats what i kinda figured just didnt know if maybe my starter was going bad. it seems like an electrical issue

Also check the connections at the starter solenoid and at the starter motor.

Just my 2 cents on the issue.
NEVER over look anything electrical on these old bkes. BUT to make things a little faster and maybe easier for you. If you can isolate the crackling sound your hearing, go directly to that sound. A bad connection, {worn brushes included} will and do make a sizzling/crackling sound. If your hearing that at the starter it may be nothing more than the battery cable connection is loose. It may also be that the armature or brushes are worn past spec and making a bad connection. Pay attention to your nose also....LOL Usually you can smell a sizzling/crackling bad connection.
Some friendly advice here.
Once a month or so look over your wiring. Specifically look for hard cracked insulation. Its a problem that most of the older Kaws have. Also look over all your connections includeing the fuses and relays. And do not forget to look the grounds over as well. I have found for some reason threw out the years it seems previous owners like to remove ground wires? Since I have started doing this as part of my maintance schedule I have suffered no type of electracl break downs. And more importantly I have had to replace harness's, wire ends here and there. So obviously catching something like this early is a big plus. I have found that lots of people simply overlook the wiring, UNTIL something doesn't work, or melts down...LOL
Once you get your starting problem figured out, look over your entire electrical system. Pull the covers, headlight, even your switches and check under the rear fender. A good electrical contact cleaner and lube goes a long way for preventative maintance. You'll be surprised at what you may find. Your a lot better off repairing any problems on YOUR time, other than something melting down and then you have no choice.
Hope all goes well !

A place people seldom check is the alternator grommet where the wires come out of the engine. The insulation may rub or fail there shorting out the alternator and/or causing the regulator/rectifier to fail too.

Another place to look is above the engine sprocket. The side stand switch,oil pressure switch, and neutral switch wires run along with the alternator output wiring in a channel.

Vibration,heat and age can cause any of these wires to short out. They can give intermittant operation if the conductor has been broken inside the insulation but looks good externally.

alright, thanks guys.i have done alot to this bike.havent messed with the starter though. i guess im going to learn.