Click click - no start

Hi there,

On Saturday I changed the hanldebars on my XJ550. After I did that the bike was fine for about a day and then it wouldn't start. I turn the key and everything looks fine, then when I hit the starter button I hear a faint click but nothing from the starter motor. I tried jumping the bike (maybe it was the battery) and that didn't work. I then started to play around with the starter solonoid but it was getting late so I gave up and went to bed. I'm pretty novice when it comes to fixing this type of stuff and I want to try some more troubleshooting tonight so was hoping for some guidance from anyone that may have had a similar problem.

Background: The bike is in very good condition and has very few miles on it. I changed the battery about 2 weeks ago. The starter problem came on gradually over the course of about a day. It would start sometimes then gradually not at all. When I push the starter button the 'check oil' light comes on as it should.

Thanks,

Dave

 

Did you install black or painted (rather than chrome) bars? The start button grounds thru the handlbar.

If the "oil" light comes on when you press the button, the safety circuit is "deployed." That means the bike doesn't know it's in neutral or it thinks the sidestand is down.

The "onset" of the problems as you describe also point to the fusebox; the original fuse clips crystallize over time and can fail spontaneously.

 

Yes I did install black bars! Had no idea that would have an impact.

Do you think if scratch off the paint under the starter and where the bars connect to the frame should that be sufficient?

Thanks a lot.

 

That should work. Common happenstance.

 

Great now I have something to do tonight.

Thanks again