Hi folks,

So my '75 fxe was running perfectly. A buddy of mine tightened my brake light lens with a wrench because he didn't know how speednuts work. I rode it for an hour or so and the over-tightened speednut posts sheered off and the tailight started dangling and shorting the bike out.

I taped the taillight to the fender, got her running and rode her home.

She sat for 2 months until I could get to her. I re-wired the tail light, re-mounted everything, charged the battery and hit the ignition. Lights dim and the engine tries to turn over but when I hit the kill switch, the engine still tries to turn over. I remove the key and engine still tries to turn over until everything dies finally.

I get that the most likely thing for this is a low battery, so I charge the battery again (the battery is about 9 months old) and... won't start. Won't kickstart either. I charged the battery again, and bike continues trying to start even with key removed from ignition.

I currently have it on the big charger but I don't think it's going to work.

Any thoughts on the most likely culprit? I'm on a budget.

Thanks,
David

 

Sound like a grounding issue perhaps on your ignition switch, but I am only guessing.

 

the battery should have been re charged at the time leaving it for months dead is the reason the battery is no longer any good

2 - the starter solenoid engagement disc has welded its self to the inside of the unit - Because the battery was dead when you tried to start it

replace both the battery and the starter solenoid as well as the starter relay it could also be damaged

 

The selonoid that engages the starter has contacts in it that sends electric to the starter. When the voltage gets low it can cause the contacts to melt together . It's called starter sun on.

 

Yes...
The Taillight has Nothing to do with any of that [or Shouldn't] as it is on the Lighting and Brake light circuit..Not the ignition circuit!!
Johnjzjz has ya covered...

 

Just a question for the experts...the OP said "I hit the kill switch, the engine still tries to turn over. I remove the key and engine still tries to turn over until everything dies finally." I understand about the battery and that it has nothing to do with the lighting.

When John indicated that starter solenoid engagement disc has welded its self to the inside of the unit, does that create continuity in the circuit so it is always stays on and doesn't turn off with the ignition system i.e. kill switch or key?

 

Not expert... as I am still capable of Learning... But, once the Solenoid id Stuck... the Power goes directly from the battery ... thru the Solenoid, to the Starter... the Starter relay is No Longer in the circuit..No Matter how many relays ya have ...once the Solenoid is Stuck...it is Stuck... welded itself usually..

 

Yes. I've seen it on cars and bikes.

 

Papamud: what type of starter relay is on the bike?

 

There is one other possibility. The starter Bendix could be hanging up. Put the bike in gear and rock it back and forth, it should disengage. You can see the gear through the clutch inspection cover.