Topic: CB550 starter problem

[Houlie]

I bought a 1978 cb550 this year. It's my first bike and it's in pretty good shape. There's been some work done to it before I bought it and I plan to do more, but first I have a few things to work out. I kept blowing fuses so I re wired some of the old wiring that had melted and deteriorated. The previous owner took of the stock ignition and put in a kill switch under the seat. I replace that as well and re did the wiring because it looked a little suspect. Since then I haven't blown any fuses. I hope to completely re wire the bike in the fall, but until then I have a few things I want to fix. When I start the bike I turn the switch on and when I push the electric start there is a click from that comes from the starter solenoid and nothing happens, eventually after few tries the bike fires up. When I try to kick start it there are a few kicks with no resistance and eventually it fires up as well. The bike started fine when I bought it.

[Houlie]

I should mention the rest of the wiring looks pretty good.

[TwoTired]

Do you still have the stock starter button at the bars?

Sounds like either the battery is low, the starter solenoid contacts are dirty, or the push button starter switch has broken.

[Houlie]

Thanks, I'll check those.

[Houlie]

So I was out of town for a bit, but checked my contacts on the solenoid and there was a bad connection. The ring over one of the terminals wasn't making a proper connection, it's too big so I swapped it for a smaller ring and its good to go. Thanks for the help.