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Bike Won't Start : 1981 650 Maxim

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Stephen Garber, Jul 27, 2018.

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  1. Stephen Garber

    Stephen Garber New Member

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    Greetings everyone; I have a 1981 XJ 650 Maxim that won't start. I have changed the oil (in case it couldn't grab on the synthetic the previous owner used), tested and charged the battery and pulled the starter and gave it a good cleaning. Everytime I go to start it, I get a lone click. I have successfully bump started it, making me assume the starter has seen it's last days. Granted I am new to working on bikes, but familiar with cars- so there may be something new to me with the starting systems of motorcycles. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks,
    Steve
     
    Stephen Garber, Jul 27, 2018
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  2. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    That the starter relay clicks tells us that power is getting to the relay. What it does not tell us is if the high-amperage contacts of the realy are working.
    Take a screwdriver or a coin and bridge the two large posts on the starter relay (located next to the battery). If the starter spins then the relay is bad and needs to be replaced. If the starter does not spin then it needs to be inspected, cleaned, and rebuilt if the commutator and windings are in good condition.

    Replacing your starter motor brushes w/ pics
     
    k-moe, Jul 27, 2018
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  3. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    just to be sure you mean you hear a click when you press starter button?

    put a volt meter on the starter stud see what you get when you hit the starter button
     
    XJ550H, Jul 27, 2018
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  4. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Good thinking. I forgot to ask if he was pressing the button, or just hearing the safety relay click when he turns the key.
     
    k-moe, Jul 27, 2018
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  5. Stephen Garber

    Stephen Garber New Member

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    My bad, I should have specified! It clicks when I press my start button. I'm fairly certain that it is the starter, bringing me to my next question. Is a xj700 starter compatible with the xj650? I would assume that they would be and they look identical, I would just like to get a second voice telling me before I pull the trigger
     
    Stephen Garber, Jul 27, 2018
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  6. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    If it tests bad then rebuild the one you have. Anything used will likely need brushes anyway.
    See the link I provided above.

    Confirm that it's the starter by jumping the solenoid as described above. Throwing money at parts is just throwing money away unless you identify the actual problem first.
     
    k-moe, Jul 27, 2018
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