Solenoid click, barely moves in 5th, and only in reverse.

Went to start the bike the other week and got a little starter moter action and then nothing. Went again and just got a click. 94 xj600, popped it in 5th with the plugs out and could only bounce it backwards a few inches at a time. Bridged the solenoid, sparks, no start tho. Any suggestions for a next step?!

 

Is your battery fully charged? a dead or low battery can cause this . Test with a voltmeter and see what voltage you have at rest and when cranking.

 

+1 for checking your battery, not enough to get the starter to work.

 

I threw a charge at, but don't have a voltometer. I'll source one. It seems to be fine, all other lights are on, no dimming of headlights upon crank. I'll keep the plugs out when I turn it over, I'm worried about hydro lock. Would I have any movement in my rear wheel if It were locked? I have a video of it inching backwards, sounds like it's turning the motor..

 

Took the battery to O'Rileys, confirmed good, which in this case was bitter sweet.

Found a new starter relay and installed it..........................click.

Panic.

Found a very thorough rebuild kit for the starter motor. Jiggled and wiggled until the starter moter came free, found a clear space, and cracked it open. Gasket was out of place, brushes were worn and filthy, every thing was black and there was even a bit of ACTUAL WATER. Stripped it, cleaned it, rebuilt it and reinstalled it.
The water in the starter spooked me so I pulled the plugs, turned the key, put the bike in neutral and crossed my fingers.
Hit the switch and BAM!!!! Starter started rolling, zero liquid from the plug holes, so I threw the plugs back in and she starter right up.

 

hydro lock is when crankcase is overfull and pressure build up under cylinder because oil is sealing bottom of cylinder snaping connecting rod.

someone I know that I went for a ride with and his bike would not go very fast he had an extra quart of oil in the crank. after draining it out his top end speed came back.
filled his oil on side stand guess he did not want to read his manual I downloaded for him.

 

In the early 80's when Honda introduced the CB 6 cylinder a friend of my dad had one ,left work after bike sat all day on side stand as he pulls out of lot opened throttle ...kablewey . He had bike 1 week , Honda put a new engine in bike they told him to keep on center stand oil pooled on left side of engine . His engine had a twisted rod they showed him they claimed oil leaked down in 2 outboard cylinders . These bikes were beasts in their day ,but were not around long either I was pretty young ,but still remember that bike silver with red stripes , and that sound..

 

My brother had the original 79 CBX from new. I rode it a few miles at the time. He eventually sold it with the motor seized after sitting for a few years. He had an FJ1100 so the CBX just sat. Really over-rated ride, A+ for visual impact and smooth engine. F for getting spanked by GS & KZ1100.
There was one at the Paris show last weekend better than showroom.

 

That's a lot of chrome headers coming at you!

We have a local gallery that does various exhibitions throughout the year. Last summer (and the prior summer actually) they did one titled, "America's love affair with the motorcycle." Very comprehensive starting with early Harley on through the 90's. Lots of Japanese machines on display through short term exhibit loan. Saw a CBX there... Beastly!

I'm still waiting to see an XJ!