Topic: Wiring question

[jakester]

I am rebuilding my 1972 honda cb500.  I am having an issue with the wiring.  I am trying to get the starter to turn over.  I am using a clymer and hondaman's wiring diagram to assist.  I have the starter, kill switch, coil, and starter wired but the starter won't turn over.  I have checked connections for continuity and everything checks out.  Please any tips or pointes would be appreciated!

[Robby368]

Are you getting voltage at the motor when you press the start button? Brushed motors will lock up over the years when they haven't been used... My 73cb750 starter motor is frozen, but it also has a kickstarter which I think is cooler anyways 

[bjbuchanan]

"hotwire" the solenoid, bridge the two posts with your favorite screwdriver. If that gets it to kick then you gotta take apart the solenoid and clean it. Not worth buying a new one, very easy to service even half @ssed. You just clean the corrosion and carbon tracking off the little see-saw looking copper contact inside.

Make sure that your dark green/red is making a circuit to ground. Stock runs it through the funky diode and clutch safety switch with the neutral switch at the handlebars. Quick and dirty test is to shove a bit of wire in the green/red on the solenoid and ground it to the neg post of the battery. Now try the starter, if it spins you have direction.