bike wont start

[Throop25]

i have a charge, i can push start it but when i hit the button nothing happens, the lights dont even dim any advice on my options

[Gallaecus]

replace your fuse block with TC's set up.

[Throop25]

???, replace fuse block, like the fuses themselves

[crazy steve]

Some '81s have a 'safety interlock' that prevent the bike from starting unless it's in neutral or the clutch is pulled in if it's not. A malfunction in this circuit can keep the bike from starting. Or it could just be a bad starter button. There should be a blue/white wire at the solenoid; if you ground that and the motor spins, it's the button. Still doesn't spin? Then trace the red/white from the solenoid to a relay; this is the 'safety relay' and if you jumper between the two R/W wires at the relay this will bypass the circuit.

[motoman]

Some '81s have a 'safety interlock' that prevent the bike from starting unless it's in neutral or the clutch is pulled in if it's not. A malfunction in this circuit can keep the bike from starting. Or it could just be a bad starter button. There should be a blue/white wire at the solenoid; if you ground that and the motor spins, it's the button. Still doesn't spin? Then trace the red/white from the solenoid to a relay; this is the 'safety relay' and if you jumper between the two R/W wires at the relay this will bypass the circuit.

As Steve staed, ALL 81's, Standard or Special have the safety interlock(clutch in if in gear). I would first suspect starter button contacts, then secondly starter relay(if it just clicks when starter button is pushed).

[Throop25]

thank you sirs, much appreciated

[Throop25]

yeah when i push the button nothing happens period, we checked the the saftey on the clutch it looked good so... i must say my first thought was the button or the killswitch.. thanks guys i let you know what it was

[mack]

Not power to starter button

I had the identical problem when I first put the LH together. Found a dirty ground in the left handle handle bar control was the problem.

[Throop25]

okay, yeah it worked fine, untill we took the clutch cable off and lubed it, we also had the gas tank off i have a bad petcock, there was somtimes a delay when i pushed the button but it always started, although i have had an issue with the battery dying{human error i think} but as i said i can push start it, but i have a charge the oil and neutral light are bright as hell , but when i push the button they dont dim at all as they had in the past when i started it, i just got this bike and it started up great untill i ran into the petcock issue,

[Throop25]

yesterday i could push start it today im not getting spark,? i can jump the starter of the solonoid but im not getting spark, took the button apart completed the circuit , jumped the deadman switch on the clutch handle, no spark

[crazy steve]

Ok, here's what to check and in what order....

1. Ignition fuse at the fusebox. Got power on the red/white wire? Good? Next...
2. Power at the kill switch (right handlebar). Look for battery voltage on the red/white wires to/from the switch. If only one has power, the switch needs cleaning. If you have no spark, this is the likely problem. One wire comes from the fusebox, the other goes multiple places; the coils, the TCI, and to the 'safety relay'. Check for voltage at all places to make sure you don't have a failed splice. Easiest place to check the switch without removing it is at the plug under the fuel tank.

If you have voltage as above, you should have spark. If the bike still won't start with the button, then the problem is in the 'safety circuit' (relay, clutch lever switch).

3. The relay will have two red/white wires, jumper these together. If the bike now starts, the problem is in this circuit. Still won't turn over?
4. The starter button isn't going to ground when pushed, repair/replace the button/spring, or the starter solenoid coil has failed.

If you get to this point (bike starts/runs) and you want to fix the safety circuit, let me know...

[Throop25]

i will check that and get back to you, thanks a bunch dude

[crazy steve]

As Steve stated, ALL 81's, Standard or Special have the safety interlock (clutch in if in gear)..

I'm not so sure about that....

In doing some research on this, while the FSM shows this in the wiring diagrams for all '81 models, the parts fiche (all of them, including Yamaha's) does not show the safety relay as being for the H/SH, only the LH (and XJ). They do show the 'special' clutch perch and switch for the H/SH, but I recall seeing a few '81s that lacked this feature.

The other thing I noticed is the circuit diagram in the FSM is incorrect; the internal wiring on the relay as-drawn won't work; if my scanner would work () I'd post a corrected drawing.... No big deal, but it would definitely confuse you if troubleshooting...