CBR 400 NC29 - Starter motor 'clicks', won't turn over.

[Jeff Sichoe]

Hey guys!

I've got a real piece of shit CBR400 that has recently started playing up.

When I hit the ingition, the start motor will, 80% of the time, click quite loudly. click, click, click click etc.

I can chuck the bike in 2nd, roll it forward a few steps and let the clutch out, then, most of the time, the starter will fire up and the bike will start like normal.

This isn't a problem if the bike is warm, because it will start first pop, it's only when I go to fire it up after a cold night outside, and i'll have to repeat the above process 2 or 3 times until I can get it to start.

Regardless of the starter clicking or not, I can always bump start the bike (easily)

Any ideas? I've searched around and read it could be the ground shorting out? Why would rolling the bike forward (semi bump start) change this?

Someone I spoke to said the Starter motor might have a 'flat spot' hence needing to push it past via bumpstarting?

I guess if the Starter motor isn't servicable i'll just find another!

[Jeff Sichoe]

Ok I used my brain and searched for previous similar faults, found alot more info here than on Google so i'll start with a soft whack with a bit of wood, and check the solenoid, and go from there

[Murray]

Not enough juice from your battery could be a good place to start. Try jumper leads from another battery when it click click clicks and see if it works

[kiwi dude]

check your battery first.it should be the contacts in the solinod which is part of the starter.give it a tap while tring to start it.the starter should be serviceable