Newbie start up problem

[Q-Dog]

Hi I have a 1986 GXR GK71F Single headlight and not had it long, very little knowledge on bikes but wanted a little screamer to use for work.

Al started off fine with it, but slowly over about a fortnight the battery started to go flat and I had to bump start iit a couple of times, so gave the battery a good charge and went to start it. Now have loads of power except it seems like the starter wont engage.
I noticed the main buzzing sound coming from under the battery and I believe that to be the starter solenoid, I have tried cleaning up the connectors but still the same, would changing out the starter relay sort it and will one from a different 400 fit as parts are getting hard to find?

Cheers

[dobbslc]

Hi mate
You say that the bike will bump start so that should mean that at least it's running ok with no carb problems etc,
If you can hear a buzzing under the battery when you try to start it that could be the starter motor jamming it might be worth taking it off for a look at.
If the battery is going flat it could be a faulty charging system or just a duff battery, you should get about 14.5 volts on the battery with the engine running.
Dobbs.

[ben2306]

mine was like that. but not buzzing sound, its "tick tock". changed a starter motor & it has never been tick tock for months.

[Q-Dog]

Ok I had some time to spend on it yesterday, it's the starter relay under the battery tray that's buzzing, when you press the starter I get the buzzing and the rev counter flies up but no turn of the starter motor, got 12.7 volts reading on the battery but no continuity between the 2 connections on the relay.
Could that be my problem?

[Ben92]

I have also experienced the tick tock problem but only on occasion in the winter and put it down to moisture somewhere in the system. But my bandit 6 had a simular buzzing problem with a flat battery. Try shorting out the relay with a (well insulated) pair of pliers across the thickest two wires. Might spark but should see the engine turn over. If engine turns over like that the relay is your problem. If not it's more likely starter motor related. Let us know how it goes

[Q-Dog]

Yeah I did try shorting across the relay and nothing.
This only started when I charged the battery but the battery now reads 12.7 across the terminals.
So does this mean I need a starter motor? Is there any way of shorting the starter out to check?
Are they easy to swap out?

[dobbslc]

You can test the starter motor by getting a jump lead and connect one end to the battery
+ terminal & the other to the large terminal with red cable on the motor it will spark so be ready for it.
Make sure the bike is in neutral before you start.
If it still won't go it's the starter motor or looking on the bad side it could be a siezed engine...
Hope it's the starter motor mate, they are fairly easy to swap if it's the same as the GK76A it's only two 6mm bolts and the cable.

Dobbs

[Ben92]

Could be as simple as a loose connection if it only happened after you changed the battery. Or an internally broken down wire maybe. Get a multimeter and check continuity to starter relay and from starter button. Also from relay to motor. Have you tried bump starting it?

[Q-Dog]

Thanks for all your inputs, it's all sorted now.
Regulator was shot and cooked the battery, so new battery and a replacement regulator went on and runs sweet now.
While I was tinkering I've cleaned the tank and the carbs and re balanced them so she runs lovely now

[ben2306]

good to hear that!!