Starter Problem.

[Julio A.]

I did a quick fix on the kills switch. It held up pretty well on the expressway a while ago.

When I came back home, I turned off the bike to open the gate.
Upon returning,  the bike would not start anymore.
When I press the starter button, I can only hear a faint click from the starter motor. Battery is good. Contacts are good.
Is there a problem with the starter motor itself?

BTW, I engine is not seized. I still had the motorcycle run by having someone push it.  

[Bob_Roller]

If the starter itself is making a clicking sound, there may me a loose or corroded electrical connection at the starter, a clicking sound usually means low voltage from the battery .

Another possibility is the starter relay, it can make an audible click, but the contacts don't close so no power gets to the solenoid on the starter .

With the tank removed locate the relay that clicks when you push the starter button, you can usually manually close the contacts by pressing down on the top of the relay case, the starter may rotate, even with the key out of the ignition switch, so make sure the bike isn't in gear if you try it .

It may be a faulty starter, but do a little troubleshooting before removing it .

[Julio A.]

I left the R65 on a float charger last night.
This morning, I attempted to start it again using the starter motor
with success. I think the battery merely discharged itself during my ride yesterday and the problem is not the starter.

I used a multitester to check the battery and it reads 13V;
drops to 11V on start and returns to 13V on idle, 12.6V with lights on. It rises to 13.4V when I rev the engine to 4K. Meaning the generator still works.

It seems fine now. I still don't know what could have caused the discharge.

[Barry]

I used a multitester to check the battery and it reads 13V;
drops to 11V on start and returns to 13V on idle, 12.6V with lights on. It rises to 13.4V when I rev the engine to 4K. Meaning the generator still works.  

While the generator is working and you are getting a charge those voltages if accurate are a touch low. Should be more like 13.8 volts when revved. This  could mean a faulty voltage regulator or it might just be the battery was not fully charged.

To interpret these voltages accurately the battery needs to be really fully charged and maybe a trickle charge overnight didn't do it.

The initial battery voltage should indicate if it's fully charged but 13 volts across the battery suggests you probably measured it shortly after removing the charger meaning the battery retained some "surface charge"  A voltage measured without removing the surface charge is not a good indicator of state of charge. Try letting the battery sit overnight and measure the voltage again which should now be more like 12.6 volts if the battery is fully charged. When you are satisfied the battery really is fully charged you could try your voltage tests again and see if there is any difference.

Some good info here about half way down the page on surface charge and voltage measurements as an indicator of state of charge.  http://www.batterystuff.co/tutorial_battery.html

[Julio A.]

Tested it again; 13.6V Initial(charger is removed 30 minutes prior), 11V during Startup, and 14.6 when revved. Looks fine now; but it is quite unpredictable.

I do think It is a faulty voltage regulator. It seems that the regulator currently installed came from a local Jeepney and modified to fit. Never noticed it until now.

I have a new OEM Voltage regulator in my parts bin. I'll try to install it ASAP.

[Barry]

I have a new OEM Voltage regulator in my parts bin. I'll try to install it ASAP.

Sounds like a good plan as 14.6 volts is now a little too high.

[Julio A.]

Haha, I never get surprised with the R65 nowadays.