Help - I can't start my 98 S1W

The battery's fully charged and I've even boosted it from my car battery. When I press the starter, there's a loud clicking from the starter motor.

I've took the cover of the relay and I can see the points in there close and hold as I beleive they should when the starter button is pressed.

I've also took off the end plate that covers the plunger and cleaned the copper contacts with scotchbrite. With this off, when I hit the starter button, I can see the plunger wind in, but then resonate in and out until the starter button is released (it appears this is what's creating the loud clicking noise).

The bike will bump start fairly easily with the aid of a helper.

Has anyone any ideas what this problem could be and how I can cure it ?

Many thanks,

Phil

Fit a new battery.

_________________
Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Might be worth checking your earth strap; frame to rear of engine.

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I'm a Hornithologist, I get excited by exotic birds.........

........Then use it more often.

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I started out with nothing and still got most of it left.

........ and make use of a optimate.

Thanks for all the advice.

I took the battery off and connected a known good 12v car battery instead, but still no joy.

Put the bike battery back in and put a jump lead from the negative terminal of the battery to the starter housing. Much better - turned the engine over, but still struggled and started clicking on the second attempt.

Took both the earth leads off (from battery to frame and from the bottom of the battery support to he swingarm mount) and cleaned everything up and fitted new star washers all round.

Charging the battery again, but suspect the problem is a combination of weakening battery and poor earthing.

I'll be ordering a new battery anyway as the one fitted is a HD item, so possibly the original (if so I'm very impressed).

Thanks for the suggestions, without which I might have had the starter motor off by now and been checking this out.

Any suggestions on which brand of battery and where to purchase ?

Thanks,

Phil

HD batteries are the best.
If you have the original tall/narrow battery, then these were upgraded with a kit that allows a larger battery to be fitted.
The kit comprises of a battery tray, strap, etc.......instead of the V.reg laying flat on the frame,it mounts vertically to the new battery tray.
The kit includes a new battery and is mega expensive

_________________
Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Thanks Maz.

If the upgrade your describing puts the battery in a similar position to that of an X1, then mine hasn't had this done.

I think this means I need a YTX14-BS battery - does this sound correct ?