Within seconds of turning on the key (79 FXEF 1200), I hear a fairly loud "click" coming from one of the three breakers (?) under the seat on the rear fender. Pushing the start button makes no sounds at all, not even a little "click." I turn off the key and about 30 seconds later I hear that loud click again, probably the breaker resetting itself. Battery is good. Bike ran great a day before.

So, can you help me narrow down the possibilities?

Thanks! Roy

 

It's obvious there is a short in a wire somewhere See what breaker is clicking and check it out

 

yup, you definitely have a short somewhere. Have you done any work on it lately? if so, that's the first place i'd look.

 

have you changed over to a relay from the solenoid. sounds like that solenoid is toast.

 

Yes, I know I probably have a short somewhere. I suspect the starter relay (under the battery holder), but am not sure how to check that out. Any ideas on how to check it? I have a 12 volt power checker (the kind that lights up), but don't know how/what to check. Thanks for your help!

 

only way to check for shorts is with an ohm meter.
Good thing is, sounds like you have a dead short, which makes things easier. Disconnect your battery, and check the resistance from the breaker that is kicking out to ground. I am guessing you will show 0 ohms. Do things to isolate different parts of that circuit to see if you can track it down. For example, if you suspect the relay, disconnect all wires from it and check the resistance from all the wires to ground. If that all shows up good, check the resistance from the relay terminals to ground, and if one shows up as 0 ohms, you found your short.

 

Take the wires off the relay and see if it clears the short.