Won't start?

[pshaw]

It is a new battery.

[pbjman]

Yes there was fuel in it, and probably need to clean the carbs...but it should at least turn over and puke fuel all over the place

OK, I misread part of the posts and thought you had it turning over. If it sat with fuel, it's possible the floats failed and filled your cylinders/crankase with gas. Could make it hard to crank, but you should see at least a little umph.....like it's trying to turn over but doesn't have the strength. (That's the way mine was when I got it.)
But your problem sounds electrical for now. Try cleaning all the battery/starter/solenoid connections. Do these starters have brushes that can fail and need to be replaced? Someone will answer that, I'm sure. Also, the starter button needs good contact on the handlebar to work.

[DGXSER]

I always find it best to start with this diagram of the starting circuit.



Since you have lights for neutral and oil, the key switch is working.

Simple check to make is to turn the key on, and check for 12 volts at the red/white wire at the starter solenoid. One lead of the meter on the solder joint where the wire attaches, the other lead on the battery ground. (or a good frame ground). If you have 12 volts there, then you have power through the run stop switch and the fuse. IF you do not have 12 volts there, go back to ensure you have power AT THE WIRE leaving the fuse. If you have power at the wire leaving the fuse, then your run stop switch is probably corroded.

IF you get nothing jumping across the starter solenoid though, you may have a bad starter, or just corrosion at the starter wire connections. Pull the cover off the starter and IIRC, you can access the wires at the starter. Use a good thick wire and make a jumper from the battery to the starter.

You may also need to clean the grounds from the engine to the frame and frame to battery.

[Rasputin]

Where does the clutch lockout fit in your diagram? I know squat about electrical and would like to know. Would it go between the run/stop/run switch and the starter solenoid? Thanks.

[dondons1984]

when you hit the start button or jumped it did it click? make any noise? If it didnt click at all I would check your connections to the starter solenoid and the fuses. make sure they are clean and tight. After that if you still dont get anything take off the tank check your coils to make sure that all the connections are good. Sitting for awhile like it has can cause connections to go bad. So make sure that you have that. also, when you depress the brake lever or pedal do your rear brake lights light up? Im thinking it could just be a bad fuse or connection there. Also make sure that your battery is connected tight to the terminal. Mine was a little loose a couple days ago and I would get nothing. I know its dumb but they do take a certain amount to turn over and if you have dirty connections then you may not get enough current. As for the starter

Take it off and clean it. I know it sucks but it needs to be done anyways. Make sure that all the brushes are good and that the connection to the starter is good. Be careful though lots of little pieces. You can do this why the cylinders soak in some MMO. Also make sure the spark plugs are good. Since you are turning freely and just not getting any groaning from the engine though it has to be electric. You have to have those 3 essentials and you are missing one or all 3. I dont know if you have checked also but see if the TCI connections are good. I saw someone mentioned that but I will also. I know that a couple bikes I have had have been the easiest fixes and yet the hardest cause it is so damn obvious. Keep it simple and it will run.

You have one piece answered already with the fact that the engine moves. now to just get it to do it on its own.

[HolyHarris]

To add on to dondons answer you should also make sure your starter/ kill switch casing is properly grounded. If you have painted bars the paint could be hindering it, or if you have risers they may not properly ground to the frame through them.

[DGXSER]

Ras, I have not yet owned an 81 MNS or an XJ, so my diagram does not have the clutch kill switch in it. I'll see if I can find a diagram and add it.

The ignition coils will not play a part in getting the starter motor to turn over. It will in it starting or not, but not the starter motor.

Also, on the 81 models for sure, and I think the G models, the right hand switch has its own ground and does not use the handlebars as a ground path.

[DGXSER]

OK, here is my simplistic diagram of the XJ starting circuit.



Note that for the Starter Circuit Cutoff relay to pull in, either the neutral switch has to be made, OR the clutch switch AND the side stand switch (only on the XJ, not the 81 MNS) have to be made.

As a side note, on the XJ1100 there is also a relay that powers the TCI, for it to remain pulled in, either the neutral switch, OR the side stand switch must be made. If you shift out of neutral with the side stand down, the engine dies.