Having a serious issue starting it, and I seem to have different symptoms than the other million starting issue threads, hence yet another one.
2001 748, 26K miles, new battery last October. The problem:
When I turn the key on, the fuel pump primes fine. Hit the starter button and it starts to turn over, then I get this whirring/clicking noise. It alternates between turning over and this funny noise for about 2 seconds, then just makes the clicking noise and won't turn over at all unless I turn it off and on again. It sounds like the clicking sound is coming from either the thing with the yellow sticker (in the photo) or the starter clutch, not sure which one. I ended up push starting it in 1st gear and it started without issue that way. (I hope that's not bad for the bike)
Some history and thoughts:
Lately I have had to have my hand on the positive battery terminal for it to start. Otherwise, I hit the button and "click", the electricity goes off...
My starter button was sticking, so I sprayed some wd40 into it's housing. It is right after that that I really had this problem.
I got caught in the rain the other day and rode it once since. This morning it had a smaller version of this "fit" but started fine.
Never had any real electrical problems otherwise.
I'm thinking it could be one of two things. My hope is that it's shorting out rapidly on and off somewhere, hence the rapid clicking sound. Any thoughts of where it might do that? Otherwise, I'm thinking it would be the starter clutch not engaging. I need to fix this tomorrow as I have a CA Superbike School Monday morning
Your help is MUCH appreciated.
