Where's the problem?

[maninblack]

I've got a cb350 that starts and runs fine, when kickstarted. The starter button works half the time. It seems to work with better results if I leave it on the trickle charger for a while. I haven't yet taken it apart to determine if it's a bad ground/cabling, a bad starter or something else obvious like that.

The battery puts out 13.5 before starting up, starter solenoid clicks and appears to work. I have no reason to believe the starter is dead, but I will try to bench test that this week sometime.

Where's the weak point on these? thanks

 

[Sonreir]

The battery, usually.

Voltage is a good initial indicator of battery health, but only when the battery has been sitting a day and not on the charger.

But like I said, it's only an initial indicator. For a true test of battery health you need to load test it.

Have you made any modification to the electrics on the bike? New headlight? Anything like that?

 

[krafty]

If you have a jumper pack you can bench-test the starter, but if it works some of the time and there's absolutely nothing some of the time (but all the other electrical bits seem to work) the problem is usually a loose / bad connection or ground. It could be the starter button itself, the relay or somewhere else.

 

[TheJester]

Instead of taking out your starter and trying to bench test it without load, which doesnt tell you anything, hook up your car battery and if it cranks over fine for 30 seconds or more, its time to replace your battery. Check your charging system also make sure it is putting out at least 13.2v at a reasonable RPM like 3000 or so. If the charging system isnt up to spec, that will make it seem like your battery is not good all the time, you will just be chasing your tail.