Topic: Starter not working after frame swap!!

[cdwicks]

  Hey guys!  I have a 1978 cb750k.  I recently swapped the frame and when I got everything back together, the starter wouldn't work!  I can tell I am getting connection because the lights dim when the button is pressed, but nothing else happens.  The battery is charged alright and pretty new.  Everything was working before disassembly.  I know I know....knee jerk response is ground and I checked that....that is.....the only one I could find or think of which is the one on the frame on the same bracket that the brake light switch is mounted to.  What am I forgetting?!?!  Is there anything other than a ground that would cause this?   Thanks guys.

[kslrr]

There should also be a large grounding strap from the engine to the frame.

[mystic_1]

You should be hearing the starter solenoid click when you press the start button, is it doing so?  Behind the left hand side cover, the metal can that the large battery and starter cables attach to.  Also check for corroded or loose connections.

mystic_1

[Hush]

What I would do cos I'm so damn lazy is run a jumper lead from the battery to the large bolt on the starter that the power lead goes to, this would tell me if the starter motor was OK.
If that is fine you can backtrack to the solenoid, these often have bad connections and I'd take the cables off it, clean em and rebuild, bet it works after that.

[cdwicks]

No, to answer your question, nothing happens with the exception of the lights dimming.  No clicking.  The solenoid cables seem very likely.  Also, thanks for the tip on jumpering the motor to the battery.  Would this not damage anything?  Doesn't seem so but just checking.  Another thing, I didn't remember a ground strap connecting my engine to the frame.  Anyone else out there who has a 78 cb750k know of any such strap?  Is it necessary if there is supposed to be one because I certainly didn't have one.  Let me know cause I want to get one if it is supposed to have it!  Thanks!

[mystic_1]

For even lazier testing, you can short the large terminals of the starter solenoid with a screwdriver or something, starter should kick if it's working.  Only risk here is melting your tool if you leave it in place too long, or in the extreme case it can become welded to the terminals but that's not too likely.  Just touch the terminals for a second to see if the starter kicks.

This is essentially the same as jumpering from the battery to the starter but doesn't require you to open the starter compartment or find a heavy-gauge jumper wire.  Risks are the same too.

The fact that your solenoid doesn't click makes me suspect that it's not working.

mystic_1