My starter button doesn't work so I've been jumping the starter poles with a wire to test the starter.

Now that the starter is fixed and I'm trying to get her to run, I wired an external button with alligator clips so I could start it easier. When I did it the first time, the starter ran and wouldn't stop.

Did I burn it up or is it just bad timing/luck? Is the solenoid serviceable or do I need another one?

Making progress resurrecting this ride.. Thanks everyone.
Nick

 

After doing some research on the problem, I found one post suggesting this condition can happen when the starter is engaged when the sparkplugs are out. I did have the plugs out when this happened. Not sure if that is true, but will try again once I have the battery fully-charged.

 

Confirmed the issue was starting with the spark plugs out..