Well I don't want to sound like a shade tree mechanic but can you jump the starter relay and see what see does???

 

I did do that and got sparks, smoke and some noise from the starter, but it did not spin. My wire may not have been a heavy enough guage. Something is causing power to not go to the starter side of the relay.

 

I think by the smoke and some noise it's the starter. If you jumped the relay and got smoke. I think there is something shorted in the starter.

 

Would I still not get voltage to the starter side of the relay regardless of whether their is a short in the starter? I know the relay is good, so in theory the start button should cause a click in the relay. Either there is an issue with the start button or ignition switch not sending power to the starter side of the relay. That is where I am starting today. Smoke was not from the starter, but the relay terminals.

 

chesk the starter if you can get to the leads on it hook up a 12 volt source directly to it make sure its not in gear first you may have a dead spot in the starter if the starter dont turn over thats your prob best of luck

 

Could it be the clutch or neutral switch?

Maybe the neutral switch. Those have cause trouble before.

 

Clutch and neutral switch check out.

 

Quick check there Neal , the motor turns freely ??

meaning if you put it in gear as if going to bump start it push it and let out the clutch
does the motor turn ??

 

After way too many hrs. I found the start switch bad. Motor does turn freely. Bike won't start because it appears no fuel is reaching carbs. I am going to bypass the fuel pump. It appears from doing a search the bike will run fine w/out.

The bikes plumbing and wiring were a mess so I took the opportunity to straighten most of it out while trying to find the starter issue. I had a helluva time getting the carbs installed after checking the starter. Getting the boots on the engine side and air box side attached was no easy task. It appears that some are not on as far as they should be. Next owner will have to take the carbs off anyway as they need to be gone thru. Bike has sat for most of the last 4-1/2 years.

May decide to sell whole in the next few months or part out. Bike has no title. Previous owner with 100% positive E-Bay feedback says it does run. I bought it for 1 piece of bodywork and a winter project. It is a 1987 Alaskan Blue(?) with all bodywork. Condition of pieces ranges from a 8.5 outta 10 for the tank and tail piece to a low of 2 for the fairing. PM if interested. Lots of good parts.

 

Unfortunately all 4 carbs were leaking gas heavily. Could not tell from where. What a mess. Appears gas is not reaching cylinders because I pulled one plug and it was dry as a bone. I have given up for the time being trying to get it to run. Now I need to decide whether to part it out, sell whole or keep as a spare parts source. It all hinges on whether I sell my good bike I have had for 20+ years. I have only been riding a few hundred miles a year of late and with no where to "put it away, outta the way" it has become a nuisance to move around it the single car garage I have.