Dead Solenoid and starter?!

[nightrides5687]

Hi everyone, I am new the page! So I have a 1986 Kawasaki LTD 454 with some electrical issues. This is a project bike. When the key is turned to the on position all lights turn on but nothing happens when I hit the start button. No clicking from solenoid, no noise from the starter motor. I tried to by pass the solenoid with a screwdriver and nothing but sparks. So... I removed the starter and hooked just the starter electricals up, bypassed the solenoid and it spun! Confidently I reinstall the starter and when I bypass the solenoid again (because the starter button is not working) again nothing. My wiring is as follows: Positive from battery to solenoid terminal 1 (green/yellow) then solenoid terminal 2 (red/yellow) to starter terminal that is facing the belt (belt driven motorcycle). On the other side of the starter there is another terminal that is hooked up to negative on battery. Just to clarify--On the rear brake side of the motorcycle there are these two cables hanging freely near the solenoid. One cable is green/yellow the other is red/yellow. On the solenoid there are two terminals side by side and across are two cables that are individually soldered (by factory it seems) colors grn/yellow and rd/yellow. I connected the green yellow and red yellow cables hanging on the side to the green yellow and red yellow on the solenoid. My speculations are as follows: 1. Starter is weak, so when installed it wont move. 2. Solenoid is fried also and possibly not original because I keep hearing about this solenoid relay (which my solenoid does not have). Things I have done : 1. bypassed the solenoid- starter wont work 2. unhooked cables from solenoid terminals and joint them to see if anything would occur to the starter- nothing (of course I was conscious that I have a fuse hooked the battery to avoid blowing cables). 3. I rotated the engine via stator/clutch pedal side case- perfect rotation. 4. I DO not see kickstand sensor but if I bypass solenoid I should hear starter anyway right ? 4. Clutch lever sensor is there and I believe working. PLEASE HELP!

[mik3]

Could also be the key ignition. My 86 sometimes won't start with the key in the on position, when this happens I push it down, rotate it to push then back to on. It corrects itself. If there is no kickstand sensor on the bike, then make sure the two wires lower left of the frame are shorted together. Maybe the sensor broke off or was removed already but the wires aren't crossed. The clutch sensor should be fine, if anything make sure the bike is neutral, that way the clutch sensor won't be used. 

[nightrides5687]

Thank you Mik3 for your quick response to my situation I made some interesting discoveries regarding starters that I am going to post on the electrical and support page. I think you'll find pretty interesting unless you are already aware. Thank you very much. I will also add the ignition information to the page as well, those are very good point you've added. 

-nightrides-