We just bought a 300 2wd Honda Fourtrax. i believe that it is an '88. i have ordered a manual, but.....
Anyway, the po has put a new battery, solenoid and purchased a "good" used starter that I put on this evening. The battery was fully charged but when I hit the start button all it did was turn the engine about 1/2 turn and then something clicked. Then nothing by starter button. I shorted across the solenoid and the engine turned over slowly.
Does this bike have a compression release to help the electric starter? If so, how do I test to see if it is releasing?
The kick starter does not engage, so I can't start the engine to see if there is something else going on.
Oh BTW HI! I'm a new guy!

 

As I recall from when I had a '96 300 there is a compression release lever on the front of the engine. I used it with the kick starter,never needed it with the electric start.

 

DOH!!!
I think I found the problem. I used my fancy new jumper cables and hooked my truck up to the "new" battery in the fourtrax. One touch of the button and the engine about flew outta there!
Anybody need a starter for their fourtrax 300? Yep, I used the jumper cables on the old starter and it almost spun out of my hand. Guess I'm headed down to buy a new battery of my own!

 

Yep! A new battery made this thing sing! I was disappointed to see that the "old" battery was a Yuasa that appeared to be new as the PO told me. I thought that Yuasa was supposed to be a good battery. Or am I wrong about their reputation?

 

They are a good battery, it is just like Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge. They are ALL good. They all make a lemon now and then and regardless of whos lemon someone tastes first, that brand will be junk to them for the rest of their llife.

Just make sure you buy the correct battery. Their is a difference between a motorcylce battery and an atv battery. Atv's batteries are built to withstand more bumps and bangs than a motorcycle battery. A typical battery manual will list both numbers, and you will need to inspect the box and packaging to ensure what you are getting. They don't make it easy for you to tell.

You may also want to put the other starter on to make sure it is good. I have saw more than one starter that would not turn an engine over at all, and they would all spin like crazy in your hand.

 

Ever change onna' those starters? ;-)
I think I will just sell it "as is"!!

 

I have changed several, pretty easy after you do one, the key is to use a rubber mallet to tap the starter out with after it is lose. Also take a 10mm wrench and shave it thin( I held mine against a grinding wheel) then use the thin wrench to hold the bottom nut on the positive starter cable while you use a 2nd 10mm wrench or socket for the top nut. Easy change then.

I know what you mean though, the 1st time I ever changed one I was ready to pull my hair out.