XJ 750 Starting problems

Hey guys. I been having problems and its getting the best of me. I've no clue what to do now lol. First lemme describe the scenario.
I start the bike, go down the street, everything is normal. I make a turn, go a bit further then it dies, like somebody hit the kill switch. I start the bike again, go no further than 20 yards before it dies again. Can't start from that point on. I left the bike to recharge the battery, came back the next day. Put in charged battery, trouble starting but it did start, same distance before dying. From then on it hasn't started even with the battery recharged.

Now I've had the points system (what do you guys call them now?) replaced not even a year ago so I don't think its that. I have heard it could be the kickstand relay switch malfunctioning. All the fuses are intact. I've even checked all the wires and everything seems good, although I want to rebuild the entire wiring, make the connections stronger, etc.

Can anybody think of what I'm missing as to why the bike will not start?

Also, forgot to mention about starting it.
I would try to start the bike using the start button, no sound
Bridged the solenoid, engine cranks, but won't turn over
Push start, engine won't turn over
The solenoid was also replaced the same time as the points system.

 

I think the first place I would start would be the fuses. The intermitent run problem sounds like one of the fuses getting really hot. You may find one or more of the fuses are corroded. As far as the rest it may all be related. Fuse box first. everything needs good power.
Also fill out the signature part of your posts so we all know what we are working on. Your in the correct place for info. Just hang on and more suggestions will come.

 

I don't think it would be the fuses because I've redone the fuses since they were not holding well enough. I've been thinking it may be the battery being weak to cause this kinda problem. I'm in the process of buying a new battery but before I do so, just trying to come up with an idea of what the problem may be. So far I can think of only 2 things, battery or the safety switches malfunctioning. Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated. I want to get back on the road

 

Hey Woulfe,
I've had some similar troubles with my seca and it turned out the first time it wouldn't start it was the clutch kill switch. The wire had been pulled from the housing so it wasn't starting even with the clutch in. After that got fixed it started right up. Recently it wouldn't start again and it was my starter solenoid but, you said you replaced that. It sounds like maybe somewhere from the start button to your starter solenoid could be a weak connection.
This morning it took awhile to get my bike started and what I did was get it up on the center stand and that helped it start because, it was kinda flooded from sitting on the kick stand for a week and the gas level evened out on the center stand. Make sure you're also trying to start it in neutral with the kickstand up. I know how frustrating it can be when you're already to go and the bike just sits there. Good luck and I hope I could have helped a little.

 

Yea I appreciate the help. Any little piece can give me an idea of what I can look at. I will have to take a look at the wire from starter button to solenoid. But then again, the bike still wouldn't turn over if that were fixed, at least I don't think. Within 2 weeks, I should be able to get a new battery so I can start ruling out problems.

Its weird how I can ride for 3-4 months straight with no problems whatsover, then it dies like that. It wouldn't have been the battery as it would have been charged everyday from constant riding (was my daily driver.) Could it be possible of brushes being worn out? See the issue is start button doesn't work (no clicking noise), solenoid seems to work because if I bridge it, it cranks the engine (but still doesn't turn over), not even push starting works.

So what I will probably have to look at are the wires from starter button to solenoid, alternator brushes, and the battery itself. Also, how do I check to see if the solenoid is bad?

One last question, the speedo says the bike goes a top speed of 85mph, but it certainly feels it can go faster than that. Is that the true top speed or can it go faster than that for highway riding? Anyways, thank you guys for helping me out.

 

Way back when the bikes were being sold, I think your government put a llimit on the speedometers. My '82 Seca has 140mph / 220 kph top end.
I found an article dated Sept '81 that listed the top end in 1/2 mile trap as 122 mph.

 

check the fuel supply, maybe it's running out of gas
tank filter might be partly clogged

 

You will find a RELAY suspended beneath the frame, close to where the fuel tank is bolted-down to the frame. (There should be one, single, relay ... mounted in a rubber holder ... suspended close to the signal-light flashing unit.)

Disconnect this relay.
Ignition cut-off safety features will be disabled.

If the bike runs:

Either the relay is bad ... or,
Some switch or wiring to the relay is stuck or shorted.

Caution / Warning:

This IS NOT a generic RELAY ... this RELAY is unlike other on the bike.
Substituting a NON-safety relay will cause safety related switching to be reversed.