Hey
I have a '85 Big Red 250 ES. Last summer the starter burned out. I just put in a new starter and battery but it won't start when I press the start button. It will kick start and it will start when I short the terminals on the starter relay. Everything seems to work when it's running (headlights hi & lo, neutral light, reverse light)
Any suggestions on what could be the problem?
Thanks

 

Unplug the starter relay and connect a 12v lightbulb (or a test light if you have one) between the terminals in the plug. Turn the ignition on and push the start button. If the bulb lights up, then your starter relay is shot and needs to be replaced. If the bulb doesnt light, then the problem is elsewhere in the relay circuit (probably a bad ground). Hope this helps

 

I tracked it down bit by bit.
It was a bad connection at the fuse.
Now it starts like new.