1982 Maxim XJ750 wont start

Hey guys I'm new here. I've had my XJ750 for some weeks now and I've been having issues getting it started. When I fist got the bike it was fine but it was dying because the battery had been sitting. I charged up the battery with a battery tender and it was all fine for about a week. No issues at all. Then one day I go for a nice long ride for about 40 minutes and I stop somewhere for about 3 minutes.. I then try to turn my bike back on and it wouldn't turn over. There was just a click. I tried getting a jump but it still wouldn't start. I eventually ended up push starting it to get home. I then tried charging the battery to see if that would do anything and it didn't. Still wouldn't start. It would just click. Also I should note that all the lights turn on when I turn the key. But, when I push the starter it just clicks and nothing happens. And the bike isn't in gear or anything like that. Further I thought that it was just the battery being totally gone and not being able to hold a charge. So I just put in a new battery and it's all the same.. That is, the lights come on and all of that stuff but when I hit the starter button there's just a single click sound that comes from the starter solenoid. Any help is appreciated.

 

If you are hearing a click from the starter solenoid then odds are you either have a bad solenoid or a bad starter. When the solenoid clicks, it should apply plus 12V to the starter directly from the battery through a pair of large contacts within the solenoid. You can duplicate this action by using an old screwdriver and shorting across the two large terminals on the solenoid and the starter should spin; there will also be a shower of sparks so be aware. Also, make sure the bike is in neutral before doing this. The link below is a different bike, but has good info on checking the starter circuit:

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?threads/how-to-test-your-starter-circuit.7828/

If the starter does not spin when you short across the solenoid, then time to check out the starter. Sometimes you can gently tap on them to correct a problem with an incomplete circuit with one of the brushes to the commutator. If this works, it would only be considered an emergency fix and the starter should be refurbished. It is a fairly easy job and the link below provides a very nice how to:

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?threads/replacing-your-starter-motor-brushes-w-pics.45727/

 

glad to see another tampa rider on here!

 

I have a Maxim X and the same thing happened to it. The starter just needed some cleaning and new brushes. Easy job, just follow the directions on the link from Rooster. Got my rebuild kit off ebay. Good luck