Very basic question - how do I jumpstart my bike?

[mpaster]

This is my first bike and I don't know much about what I'm doing, as you'll see.

I have a 1982 305 CSR that I think needs a jump start. I have a set of jumper cables for the bike (smaller clamps than car cables). I've managed to find the battery itself (yeah, I'm really ignorant about these things) but the red (live) battery terminal is pretty inaccessible and there's no way that I can see to get the jumper cable clamp to that side of the battery. I'm sure I'm missing something basic here, but I don't know what it is. If anyone can help on this really basic level, I'll be grateful.

Thank you.

[MFolks]

Can you access the starter solenoid? To locate it, trace back from the Positive(+) battery terminal/post. Make sure to put the jumper Positive on the same place the battery's Positive cable goes, as if you put it on the other side of the solenoid terminal/post, the engine may turn over without having the key turned on.

Make sure the car's engine is not running during the jumpering as voltage transients can affect the bikes electrical system.



Starter Solenoid/Motor Checkout Procedure

Some simple steps to determine what is working and what's not:

1.Fully charge and test the battery(most bike shops can load test the battery, and then use a floating ball hydrometer to check specific gravity in the charged cells).

2.Clean all battery terminals of corrosion.

3.Tighten all starting related connections(Positive RED(+) battery terminal, Negative BLACK(-)terminal) and from the terminal to the engine case. All connections must be clean and tight. If the cables feel “Crunchy” when flexed, they may have corrosion inside the insulation, requiring replacement.

4.Clean the cable from the starter solenoid to the starter motor.

5.Clean and check the "bullet connectors" going to the coil side of the starter solenoid.

6.Try again to start the bike, keep in mind some Kawasaki’s have a clutch interlock to prevent cranking the engine while it’s in gear, so the clutch lever must be squeezed.

7.If no luck, go to step #8

8.Wearing eye protection, bridge with pliers or a screwdriver the two heavy duty(large)terminals on the solenoid. If the bike cranks, your solenoid may be bad.

9. If the starter won’t turn over, one of several things has happened; The starter motor has seized due to brushes binding up, lack of lubrication in the bushings of the motor, the battery is weak , the engine has seized or it could be a combination of any of the above. A website for starter motors is:

A. MITSUBA STARTER MOTORS PAGE 2

B. Kawasaki Motorcycle Starters, Nations Starter & Alternator 1-888-334-2632

C. Kawasaki Starter Motors Relays and Solenoids - Buy at WhiteDogBikes

D. Motorcycle Starters - Rick's Motorsport Electrics, Inc.

10.The dealer may want $$$ for a new solenoid, but take your old one along and visit the nearest riding lawn mower shop. They have solenoids for about $15 that with a little work will fit. Be aware that the new solenoid from the lawn mower shop may require a ground wire for it to work.

11. I’d recommend upgrading from the existing battery cables to at least 6 gauge welding cables.
They are available in two colors(RED and BLACK) have more flexibility due to being constructed with finer conductors, and will fit in tighter areas.

12. The welding cable is sold by the foot, so take careful measurements or bring your old cables along. Most battery shops might be able to supply the cable too, so call to find out. The battery shop should be able to crimp/swage on the end of the welding cable the terminal ends or lugs using either a dedicated crimping machine or a tool that looks like a bolt cutter that has special dies to terminate the cable.

[sfair]

What makes you think it needs a boost? What is the problem?

Post back.

[cpg]

With my CSR 1000 the negative terminal is only accessible if I take the plastic side cover with the emblem off. Not sure if your bike is similar but this may be a place to start. If your side covers are like mine they should just pop off. Just make sure that if you do get access to it that since you are looking for the positive terminal that you don't ground it out on the frame with the cables.