Had to push start

You can read my other posts for background, but here's the basics.

Friend gave me '85 XJ700 Maxim in Colorado that had been sitting in a shed for two years. Dropped in a new batt and some gas and it fired up after a lot of tries. Shipped it to FL. Rode it around a bit and it idled at about 4k. I figured that was b/c of the dirty carbs or maybe some dirty gas in the lines.

Then it just died one day. One click from the solenoid and nothing except electrics. I put some blaster down the plug holes and rocked it in 5th gear and could get it to start sometimes, but mostly just one click on the solenoid and nothing but electrics turning on.

Someone on the forum recommended cleaning the starter. Cleaned a ton of black crap out of it and the bike came to life instantly. Didn't really idle high anymore that much either.

I knew the carbs were dirty, and want to get around to cleaning them, but, Hey, I have a running bike in my garage and it was too tempting. I decided it was time to ride and put about 30 miles on it.

Then, as I was getting ready to leave work, it did its same old thing again. One click on the solenoid, lights are on, but it won't even attempt to turn over. Just a click from under the seat. I was so bummed.

I was able to push start it and it turned over on the second attempt, but was sputtering and backfiring a little bit. I rode it 20 miles home and it rode ok, but idled at about 4k at stop lights. I parked it and tried to turn it on again and it did start up, but now I don't trust it anymore for long rides away from home.

I know I need to clean the carbs, but am busy and can't do it until the middle of next month.

Any ideas on what happened? Is it just the carbs or why would it start and run fine for a couple days and about 30 miles of riding and then not start unless it is push started?

Thanks for any ideas.

 

I would start by checking battery voltage when it won't crank over. If ok, Then I would check every electrical connection and grounds to make sure that you are getting full power from the battery to the starter. Its weird it runs ok one time and then crappy the next time.

 

ya have to make the distinction between, won't start, as in "cranks but no go" or "clicks is all i get" or "kaput dead"

 

One click is all I got when I pushed the starter button.

But then I pushed it, popped the clutch and it turned over and started.

 

MN-Maxims,

What's the proper voltage it should be putting out?

Also, do I only check the relevant electrical connections like batt, starter relay, etc or all of them?

 

If your battery is fully charged it should read over 12.6 volts But I am more interested to know what the voltage drops to when you hit the start button.

 

since you just fixed the starter, if you only get a click and the starter doesn't go, the starter solenoid is going south
for a test you can cross the big terminals on it with a screwdriver but make sure it's in neutral

 

Ok. That makes sense. So, if it stays close to 12 volts, there isn't a short or ground out somewhere?

 

Polock,

I tried that before and it sparked, but didn't turn over when I crossed the terminals with a screwdriver. If I remember right, crossing the terminals with a screwdriver should spin the starter motor, right? If not, there is something wrong with the solenoid?

 

right?, right
not the solenoid, the starter
when you cross the solenoid you hook the battery right to the starter, even if the key is off the starter should spin

 

yeah cleaning a starter isnt gonna fix it forever, next get a rebuild kit online and rebuild it. then you can look for your idle problem. you gotta fix the obviouse before you can fix the little things. while you wainting on parts remove the carbs and clean them up really good and check out the faq suggestoins page on the forum for tips on syncing and rick-o-matic had a brilliant page on the needle slides. and someone else had a post on a really easy way to bench sync the carbs. my bike was reving to 5 grand till i fixed the sync now it runs great. good luck my boy

 

Since I am trying to learn all I can on this, I am now curious--What does rebuilding the starter do that cleaning it doesn't? I was looking at rebuild kits which run about $30 and they look like just some of the basic parts and gaskets. What does a starter rebuild kit do exactly?

 

P.S. She is now back to starting up fine!

 

the rebuild kit replaces the parts that wear out over time.

 

Rebuild kit replaces the Brushes, but what else?

 

There's a wee bit 'o difference in altitude between CO and FL. May want to check the jetting in the carbs too.

 

bearings bushings seals brush holder depends on the brand of kit you buy