Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech 2005 Speedy will not start

Bike was sitting for almost a year on a battery tender. When I tried to start the bike it made a sound like an air wrench under the seat (solenoid?). Replaced the battery as it was original to the bike (2005). Same thing. I get the air wrench sound. Fuses are all intact. Headlight and turn signals work with key in accessory position. I have also tried jumping it from an auto battery. Once or twice I have gotten half a "thump" that sounds like the starter trying to turn. Anything else I should check before replacing starter? Other posts have mentioned a starter relay - is this the same thing as the solenoid?

There is a relay under the tank that you could check. Also make sure all your connections are clean and tight, battery, solenoid, starter, ground. You could jump the solenoid to see if the starter works before taking anything apart and eliminating the starter.

Yah, I'd be jumping across the solenoid to see if the starter spins; that loud clacking sounds like a solenoid that isn't latching properly.

Thanks for the ideas. Will hopefully get to mess with it again this weekend.

It might not be a bad idea to pull the spark plugs, put it in first, let the clutch out and see if you can roll it around the shop. That would eliminate a locked up motor.

I think we have only had one person report that their starter failed in several years of posts.

When checking for a locked up motor, don't forget the starter idler bushing that can fail. It usually doesn't lock up the motor but allows the starter to spin like it has no load on it.

Hope it is something simple though. If you pull the starter, make sure you have a catch basin to catch oil.