Hello I am working on a 1990 XL 883. I got it from a guy that began having problems with it, it was a running bike sometimes. After fixing all the minor things I had to tackle the wiring, one of the main issues was the starter relay would just click but the bike wouldn't start. I am mechanically inclined and have built a few bikes and cars, so since the wiring had been hacked so bad and was missing over half the original stuff I decided to rewire the entire bike (like I said I've done it before) so other than time no biggie. well today I have all the main wires hooked up all other wires are ran but stubbed at location, hit the key and the same thing. just the relay click, I have replaced the relay with a new one and even took the one off my running bike to double check, still the same. I can get it to start if I run a jumper from the bottom of the starter to the battery? So would that be the starter solenoid? I'm about to give up on it and sell it. Thanks Matt

 

Go to the Evo section and read the sticky about adding a second relay ... Evo are famous for this type of thing ... I've added a second relay to my '96 and have had no problems since, I've added replays to a couple Sportsters as well

 

All motors use a slave solenoid or relay first, that relay or solenoid trips the main starter solenoid for the starter.
You have a relay, the power to trip the starter solenoid comes from the accessory fuse.orange wire