Vintage and Classic Hondas

Electrical Issues

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CB70

Electrical Issues

Re wiring the bike, press start button and nothing happens. Fuse is good, kill switch on. Is this called a Starter solenoid? The red cable is coming from the battery and the black cable is going to the starter? Is the black cable going to the starter suppose to be hot (12v). My black cable has no power

TOOLS1

Re: Electrical Issues

Administrator

Yes it is the solenoid. And the cable to the starter should only be hot when the starter button is pressed.
TOOLS

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1976 CB 750-A X 2
1977 CB 750-A X 4
1977 CB 750-K
1976 CB 750 F
1981 CB 750
1966 Kawasaki SG 250
1981 KZ 750 LTD
1973 CB 350
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CB70

Re: Electrical Issues

Hey Tools, thanks for replying. So, only when the start button is pushed, otherwise if I put a voltage meter on it, it wouldn't be live than? I sold my 750 and have been working on a 550, does this mean I can't be in this forum anymore?

TOOLS1

Re: Electrical Issues

Administrator

CB70 wrote

Hey Tools, thanks for replying. So, only when the start button is pushed, otherwise if I put a voltage meter on it, it wouldn't be live than? I sold my 750 and have been working on a 550, does this mean I can't be in this forum anymore?

Not as long as you buy the beer.

TOOLS

LukeM

Re: Electrical Issues

Administrator

In reply to this post by TOOLS1

How a solenoid works:

A solenoid is much like a relay: a small, low current coil activates a large current switch.

So, if a solenoid won't click when you turn the key to activate the low current side, the problem may be dirty contacts on the low current side, an open coil inside the solenoid, or bad contacts on the switch that feeds the low side. If the solenoid does click but nothing else happens, it's possible the high current contacts aren't closing well enough to complete the circuit.

Apply 12 volts to the low side of the solenoid. It should click loudly with a healthy battery.

An ohmmeter (with the battery disconnected) will help you find out where the problem is.

And yes, you're welcome to remain in this forum as long as you like. I've been without a CB750 for 3 years now, and they still tolerate me (or so I believe). :-)

Hope this helps, and keep us in the loop.
Luke M

Used to have a 1979 CB750L, sold it as a parts bike, now riding a slightly modified 1984 VT700C. Network/Field Engineer. Central OH, USA, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe.