Hey all,
longtime lurker - first post here.

I've got a hardtailed 1990 evo FXST. It's been running fine the past year. I just rebuilt the top end (i've rebuilt my ironhead plenty of times - first time rebuilding anything on an evo) and everything went smoothly. More or less the same ordeal as my ironhead anyways. Just recently though I've had some issues with my starter. Sometimes I'll get a single soft click and nothing. Other times I'll get what you see in the video below. I tried it out this morning and it fired up right away no problems. I checked the battery last night and it's holding at around 12.5 so it seems like it should be fine. I'm going to replace the starter relay this evening just in case. I just wanted your guys opinions based on the video and the single soft click issue - should i take a look at the solenoid contacts? My ironhead is kick only so I haven't had to mess with a starter yet.

Video here

 

Sounds like a weak starter. Probably bad battery.

 

mr. max is probably right, everytime i had starter issues, the battery was getting marginal.
put a volt meter on the battery and then crank it, should stay above 10vdc. then try jumping with a good voltage source to confirm.
in the clip, you can hear the bendix engage and the engine try to roll. not to say the solenoid contacts are not suspect, but usually when they are bad, all you hear is the bendix.

 

Appreciate the responses guys - gonna pick up a new battery this week and see if that's the case!

 

Looking like the battery..

 

before you fork out money for a battery, charge it and have it tested, most auto parts store will test for free

 

Wherever you go to get the battery tested, ask them what the CCA is.. If they don't know find someplace else.

 

And if you jump it, don't do it off of a running vehicle.