my bike will not start. out of ideas, help!

[JMBudka]

Ok. Short list:

I own an 1982 XV750

I replaced the front camshaft, bushing, and sprocket. Timed it correctly, then with a little starter fluid I got it to fire up like a champion.

When it fired up it idled around 6000 rpm. I immediately hit the kill switch and set about adjusting that.

I fired it up again and it was right around 2000. Perfect.

I killed the engine, finished putting the bike back together, put my tools away, and got ready to ride.

Now it won't start...

easy questions first:

Yes got fuel

Got compression

Got spark

Got charge in battery.

Sidestand up

Kill switch on

Bike is in neutral

connections to starter motor are good.

Clutch pulled in

When I press the starter switch, nothing happens. I mean nothing at all. No starter turnover. Not even a click from the solenoid. The only thing that happens is the oil light comes on.

I replaced the solenoid and checked the oil. Plenty of oil. Brand new, beefier solenoid (the stock virago solenoids are crappy anyway).

Same problem. No click from the solenoid, no starter, just the oil light.

Jumping with a car batter was one of my first trouble shooting steps. Doesn't work. The new solenoid is doing the exact same thing the old solenoid did - absolutely nothing. Therefor, the problem is not the solenoid.

What am I missing?

I believe it may be a bad connection issue, fuse, or relay... but WHICH CONNECTION should I check? these Viragos have hundreds!

Please help.

JMB

[bstig60]

Idle on the bike should be 1000 - 1100 RPM. The starter button provides a ground to actuate the starter switch. It actually grounds to the handlebar when you push the button. Check it first, it is is OK, then you will need to pull the headlight bucket and start tracing out wires. It is probably a bad connections. Things do get corroded on older bikes................. Let us know how it goes..........

[ViolinARC]

Interesting that you started out using the word "short" cause that is my first thought. You most likely have a short somewhere in your wiring harness so it's time to start hacking into those puppies. I did and it solved my problems that have been plaguing me for 15 years now...

BTW, [phone] on the idle speed. It should be between 900-1000 rpm from my experience so 2000 rpm is WAY over the normal idle speed...just FYI. GL and keep us posted when you find the short...