1982 kz1000 ltd. won't start, just clicks..

Bike won't start. Get click went pressing starter button. Any suggestions will be appreicated.

Dead battery?

Charege it, or try to "jump" it... it'll take three hands - two to hold the jumper cables to the bikes battery, and one to "hit the starter button! (The car/truck doesn't have to be running)

Thanks bad dad.

I have a battery tender on now will try to start again after work. The clicking sounds like a relay. I was wondering if the solenoid might be the problem ?

When the batteries are low the bike does weird things...I have gotten that click you speak of many times when my stator was shot and my battery was always dead.

Starter Solenoid Checkout

Some simple steps to determine what is working and what's not:

1.Fully charge and test the battery(most bike shops can load test the battery, and then use a floating ball hydrometer to check specific gravity in the charged cells).

2.Clean all battery terminals of corrosion.

3.Tighten all starting related connections(Positive RED(+) battery terminal, Negative BLACK(-)terminal) and from the terminal to the engine case. All connections must be clean and tight.

4.Clean the cable from the starter solenoid to the starter motor.

5.Clean and check the "bullet connectors" going to the coil side of the starter solenoid.

6.Try again to start the bike.

7.If no luck, go to step #8

8.Wearing eye protection, bridge with pliers or a screwdriver the two heavy duty(large)terminals on the solenoid. If the bike cranks, your solenoid may be bad.

9. If the starter won’t turn over, one of several things has happened; The starter motor has seized due to brushes binding up, lack of lubrication in the bushings of the motor, the battery is weak , the engine has seized or it could be a combination of any of the above. Some websites for starter motor rebuild kits are:

A. www.mawonline.com/newsite/rick_s_motorsp...-starter_brushes.htm
B. www.cyclewareables.com/pages/street_star...kits/startmtrkit.htm

10.The dealer may want $$$ for a new solenoid, but take your old one along and visit the nearest riding lawn mower shop. They have solenoids for about $15 that with a little work will fit. Be aware that the new solenoid from the lawn mower shop may require a ground wire for it to work.

11. I’d recommend upgrading from the existing battery cables to at least 6 gauge welding cables.
They are available in two colors(RED and BLACK) have more flexibility due to being constructed with finer conductors, and will fit in tighter areas.

12. The welding cable is sold by the foot, so take careful measurements or bring your old cables along. Most battery shops might be able to supply the cable too, so call to find out. The battery shop should be able to crimp/swage on the end of the welding cable the terminal ends or lugs using either a dedicated crimping machine or a tool that looks like a bolt cutter that has special dies to terminate the cable.

Hopefully its the battery. bike has been setting for awhile. I have battery on charge now. will check again after work.

Immediately after charging a bettery the voltage is fairly high.
If you let the battery sit for a few hours, then check it, you will get a better idea of the condition of it.

Standard lead-acid liquid battery after full charge = 12.6V - 13.2 max. Make sure it is filled to top with distilled water only!
AGM GlassPack batteries = 13.2V - 13.8 max after charge/rest period.

GL!

The water sold in the grocery stores for steam irons is safe for batteries. Avoid(if possible) tap water as it contains minerals that will reduce the battery's output over time(it coats the plates with a non conductive substance).

Bad Dad wrote:

Dead battery?

Charege it, or try to "jump" it... it'll take three hands - two to hold the jumper cables to the bikes battery, and one to "hit the starter button! (The car/truck doesn't have to be running)

It should NOT be running. Jump it, then after it's warm remove the cable. If bikes dies, or wont rev, then it's the battery ..:S

Well apparently it's the battery.
Intially got the relay click......Oh sh$t..
Tried it again and she fired up.
Rode for awhile, everything went well but
sounds a little weak turning over when starting.
Guess i need another battery.

Thanks guy for your helpful suggestions.....Number 8