1975 R90/6 starting problem

Hi Forum. Having trouble starting my 1975 R90/6. I've seen a few posts that tells me I might be on the right track. Bike's been sitting approx. 3 years. Installed a new battery. Engine wil not crank, (first time that's ever happened BTW). Starter relay clicks but no click at the starter solenoid. Large wire attached to the starter has power. Starter relay contacts were pretty gunky so I cleaned those up. Still no click at the starter solenoid. I disconnected the thin wire to the starter solenoid and checked with a multi meter - not getting any power at that wire when I press the starter button. Is my starter relay dead? I do have a neutral light on at the instrument cluster. Actually, the terminals broke off the neutral switch years ago and I jumpered the wires together, so the neutral light is always on. Any info - help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

Did you try vigorously tapping on the relay when engaged?

ebeeby said:

Did you try vigorously tapping on the relay when engaged?

Click to expand...

I did and son of a gun it cranked! It won't crank unless I tap on it so it looks like a new relay is in my future. Thank you so much.

--Jim

Just for the heck of it

Just for the heck of it, give the terminals on the relay a good cleaning. It has been known to happen dirty ones will not let the relay work properly. Might save you a buck. St.

STEVENRANKIN said:

Just for the heck of it, give the terminals on the relay a good cleaning. It has been known to happen dirty ones will not let the relay work properly. Might save you a buck. St.

Click to expand...

Will clean them up some more. Corrosion looks like it might have been from a leaky master cylinder. Got some work ahead of me. Thanks much.

--Jim

Leak

Ah yes, one of the main causes of dead or non functioning relays is the under tank master cylinder. Two jobs to fix, my sympathy for you. St.