Just stopped at a gas station and filled the bike up. Tried to start the bike, and all I herd was a kind of loud clicking form the starter area. I have a 2008 sportster 1200c. I have a new battery I bought a couple months ago, I have new relays, because they gone out on me b4 their about 2 months old. I just replaced the clutch pal 2 weeks ago and have been riding everyday.

So how can I tell if its the starter or starter solenoid ?

Thanks for taking the time to read this your thoughts are welcomed.

 

A loud metallic click when the start button is pushed is usually an indication that the solenoid is moving like it should, but the electrical contacts are not making proper contact.

Pop the end off the solenoid and take a look at the contacts, you can get these parts from any decent starter shop. These starters are used on zillions of mid size cars, so the starter shop will have what you need.

 

Another culprit could be the negative battery lead loose or corroded. The bike end of it is a little difficult to reach, but don't be tempted to short the lug to stud with a screwdriver, easy way to weld something - I've done it on cars where I didn't care if a little metal went poof.

Just noticed I posted this on two threads, when I saw the same question again, thought the first post hadn't gone through.

 

Well I took the starter apart, cleaned all the contacts and brushes with my dermal tool. Took the battery off to test the starter, and found the negative connection corroded. I think that was my problem, wish I took the battery off first. I figured with it being new, there wouldn't be a problem. The good news, the starter works. Lesson learned.

Thanks for the feed back.