Advice needed

[Ice]

I ususally do not post much in the tech board, actually not at all,  as my Valk has been running without issue for 14 years.
However this past weekend I noticed that when I stopped the bike and went to go start it again it would hesitate, i.e. hit the starter button and click, chug, then start, or click and nothing, turn the key off and back on hit the starter and she starts up no problem. ???
The question is, is that the starter going bad or do you think the starter switch?
Any help and advice I appreciate it.

Thanks Yuri

[bentwrench]

I'm not sure about the chug,but a dirty starter switch could definitly cause a click and no start

[The emperor has no clothes]

Starte switch would be my vote. Just take it apart and clean it up. Don't lose any of the small parts .

[Ice]

Thanks for the advice, I am not sure because it does not happen everytime, and my concern was the starter, I prefer it to be the switch  I guess I will start with that and go from there, as I said I hit the button and one time it clicks and nothing the other time it clicks then starts and then again it starts without issue 

[Ricky-D]

You cannot discount the battery.

Especially if it has been in use for a while.

***

[Ice]

Rick the battery seems fine, replace it two years ago, it seems strong, I will try the starter switch and then go from there, again its not everytime, that's the wierd part, sometimes it just kicks on, no issues.

[Patrick]

I too would first recommend cleaning the start switch, procedure should be in Shop Talk. Then while at it, clean battery connections at both ends.

[9Ball]

Of more concern is for you to check and clean the starter relay under the RH side cover.  If this is dirty/corroded you are in for some serious damage if it melts.

This should be a yearly check and clean maintenance issue.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Rick the battery seems fine, replace it two years ago, it seems strong, I will try the starter switch and then go from there, again its not everytime, that's the wierd part, sometimes it just kicks on, no issues.

A switch that needs cleaning starts acting like you describe intermitently and progresses to worse. Easy fix to eliminate it as a problem. 

[Pete]

Do not forget the to check the ignition switch also.

[vanagon40]

Check out this thread, especially the solution in this post.

[Thunderbolt]

Most likely the starter button or the starter solenoid/connections.  I have only read about one instance where the starter in a Valkyrie was actually defective.

[edhill]

had a similar problem pushed the button sometimes would start just fine on sometimes  just a click. got to be would have to push 3 or 4 time to get it to start after about 4 weeks of this then would jest click changed out the starter solenoid  relay all is good now got a aftermarket one off Amazon for 10.50 with shipping verse 62 from dealer 

[Moonshot_1]

First off, never ever post something like this "...as my Valk has been running without issue for 14 years."

That will always jinx the hell out of it.


I'd start with the simple and move on to the complex. Start with the Starter switch maintainence. If that fails to resolve the problem move on to the bigger stuff.