1981 kz550 solenoid just clicking.

Ok heres my dilemma, i have as the subject line states a 1981 kz550 that when i hit the start button all i get is the solenoid clicking but the starter not engaging. I bought a new solenoid thinking that may be the problem but the new one does the exact same thing. Ive read other topics in this forum and done everything others have suggested. I took the starter out completely and hit the start button and same thing, just the clicking. Ive done the screwdriver across the solenoid and got nothing, no sparks, no clicking, nothing. Then i thought maybe it was the starter but when i hooked it directly to the battery it turned. Ive meticulously gone over the wiring to make sure everything is hooked correctly and also my battery is reading 96%. If you have any other suggestions i would greatly appreciate it. Should i order another solenoid or buy another battery or is there anything else that could be preventing the starter engaging? Thanks in advance for any help in this matter!

Normaly if you shortcut the solenoid with a screwdriver the starter motor must turn.
Frame and engine parts (starter motor) are battery negativ connectet together.
A starter motor out of the engine without a negativ ground have no current flow.
Clean all metal surfaces where the motor is conected to the engine.
It could be the motor is weak and turn only without load.
The brushes that connect the commutator on starter rotor are shot
and no strong current can flow under heavy load.

What is the voltage at the battery when off?
Steve

Under heavy load a weak battery has large voltage drop.
Try a jump start with a car battery

Thanks! I do have a rebuild kit for the starter so im going to just go ahead and rebuild it but how you were saying the starter grounds to the motor makes sense too because the gentleman that owned the bike before me did paint the motor and it could be a good possibility that it isnt getting a good ground due to the high heat paint. Again thanks for you input, it gives me a few more avenues to try!

The battery's negative cable should attach to the motor near one of the rear screws for the clutch cover. I usually remove a bit of paint for that screw.

Obviously if the starter is out of the engine, you will have to fashion another way for the starter body to ground to the battery.