Click, then crank

[Slyk Willy]

First time of the season, went to start my '00 I/S and got a click instead of a crank. I was sure it was the starter motor but I tried it again and got the crank. fired up great, no issues. Turned it off and again, click. second time I turned the key, fired right up.
I would not have thought this would be an intermittent problem. It should either click or crank right?
I took about a 30 mile ride to warm everything up and when I got home turned it off and back on...CLICK, and then after off and back on, crank.
I think the fact that it turns says the relay is doing it's job, perhaps the starter brushes? 
Thoughts would be appreciated.

[Hook#3287]

Electrical issues, my favorite 

I would attempt to isolate the starter by unhooking the bike battery positive and run a alligator clip wire from the starter post and short connections to the battery, testing for your clicks.

Not getting clicks and the starter engaging, (make sure she's in neutral ) I would swap out the relay with a known good one.

Battery good?  A low charged or compromised battery could possibly cause this issue.

[98valk]

when is the last time u cleaned the battery terminals?   u get a click is almost never the starter. always battery connections or battery dropped a cell.

[Challenger]

when is the last time u cleaned the battery terminals?   u get a click is almost never the starter. always battery connections or battery dropped a cell.

+1. Or a loose connection somewhere in the system.

[Pluggy]

Your bike shows one of the symptoms of a marginal battery.  Tomorrow morning, before you go to start it, measure the voltage directly on the terminals of the battery.  If it is less than 12.6 Volts, you may want to go battery shopping.  And if you get a click without a crank, measure the voltage there again. It should still be 12.6 Volts.

Don't have a multimeter?  Consider this one.  It has every feature we need and is easy to use.

https://www.amazon.com/Neoteck-Multimeter-Multimeters-Resistance-Transistor/dp/B01NAVAT9S/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=V31VL0AEVJVP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.amC8nuboilQ0t0bS3t2E-SQHy42GXaps1nn3H-4CmWW9EmiC8oTZRZiQHGfhv6LOR6_0rbxZHV9hMX7BMBw3WC5CFYOM7RVSnghDqqYXCT_1KmAZP_k_GM6ZC9o81oIs0dlNGNkaQefcofTj1hd2ryL1blU4rjXlgwFJIW3xmi5pmcpSonQ7JTmW5lhobjqprOKzPeS-2reMlll03F1DGaUsGLARiahP_RpWFq9wGdTHf29Ot8ULU4wyIHvOaVceP-EdIlqId7Sb__t50EYt39JlZpkQsH5o8qlmQ1gwI_g.2EqGP2RG1YjaW8Iy1C5kQc_yuTRADwPLendfc6Nb4E4&dib_tag=se&keywords=neoteck%2Bmultimeter&qid=1776180994&sprefix=neoteck%2Bmultimeter%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

[sandy]

This might be the contacts in the starter button. Try the button cleaning in "shop talk".

[Joe333x]

I haven't had this issue with a valk but on my Suzuki the click is the starter relay. Recently my Suzuki would just click the starter relay when I hit start but it wouldn't crank at all. I disconnect the relay and banged it a little and it worked meaning there was probably a little corrosion and the relay was sticking. Not saying this is the same issue you are having but it could be.

[Slyk Willy]

Thanks for the thoughts. I didn't think of a battery issue. I'll do the checks.

[Pluggy]

Willy, once you get back on the road, let us know what fixed it.

[Skinhead]

Hey Bill, have you cleaned the connector on the starter relay?  Is also clean the start button if you haven't done so in a while.

[John97]

What does the headlight do when you get the click?  A couple years ago I had my starter switch go bad, the headlight wouldn't go off when I hit the button and nothing would happen with the starter. I can't say if disassembling and cleaning the contacts would've fixed the problem since I ran the parts counter at a Honda dealership and I had the part and a nice discount. I just replaced it.

Also it may not be a bad idea to get a new solenoid. That way youll have a good one to check against and be prepared in case of this...a couple years ago out of the blue the solenoid in my Magna and my Valkyrie both melted. Within a week of each other. Don't know why but the thing looked like it was close to catching fire before totally failing. I replaced both and haven't had another issue but i do have a new one sitting in my shelf. Just in case.

[Slyk Willy]

New battery with full charge....same issue.
Thnx Skinhead, I'll clean up the starter relay connection. Hope that fixes it.

[Slyk Willy]

Well it's been a minute, I did all the contact cleaning things with no luck. I replaced the relay with one I bought via eBay. Bad relay... went back.
I contacted the most local Honda dealer and they found an OEN Relay. Just swapped out the relay and Fired right up. Can't beat the OEM stuff for quality.
Just took a short ride to blow the dust off.
Thnx for all those responding.