I went to start my bike today and as I turned the key and pushed the starter button all I got was a 'hard' click. Not an electric click, but more like the starter is unable to turn the flywheel. This worries me. The bike is a 1988 Hurricane 600cc. I'm worried the cam chain may have dislodged and seized the flywheel or possible motor seized. Any help or suggestions for troubleshooting will be helpful. Thanks!

 

Starter motors also seize and lock up...


Pop the crank sensor cover off and turn the motor by a socket.

 

That, or put it in gear and roll the tire.

 

Apparently it was nothing serious. I put it in 5th gear and rolled it forward about a food. I heard the motor cycle a few times and wah-la it started right up. Thanks for the info guys!

 

+1 That's the easiest way to see if the engine turns. I wouldn't jump to conclusions. Are you sure you have a good battery in it? Simple stuff first...

 

Alright fellas I think I know what happened. I may have short-stroked the starter button. I had to roll the bike forward to decompress the engine before it would start again. From now on I will hold the button down a little while longer when starting the bike.
@Demon74,
Good call on rolling the bike while in gear to turn the motor over. Simple, smart solution and I like it.
@Dennisgb,
I may have been jumping to conclusions but I'm preparing for the worst, getting advice from the best. (see above)

 

We all do that. Experience tells you to slow down...take it from the top and work your way through. That's what you did.


Never think the worst...you will tear the engine down for no reason...don't laugh...I've seen it.

 

Does the starter spin the engine well or does it sound like being burdoned? It should get going from any position. Just throwing ideas but there might be one brush that's gone (or are these twin brush starters?) Another thing that is good exercise as is would be to reserve a few cold ones over the weekend, take the starter off, clean it and lube it just for the sake of wrenching and putting it back. A can of brake cleaner spray and a dab of grease once fixed the almost seized starter motor of my old Passat.

 

I once replaced an entire transmission on my (now)wife's car, and it turned out that I actually just needed to replace an axle boot.... can you say "d'oh"

So yes, slowing down and starting simple are important!!