[gal8x]

The negative from the battery went down to the vertical stud. The wire from the starter relay went down to just a bolt that mounted the starter

Ok like I said, positive to the starter terminal and negative to a mounting bolt. So… now, either the polarity is crossed or you are misreading the battery terminals. Disconnect the battery completely and measure across it, positive from the VOM to battery positive and battery negative to VOM negative should give you a +13 volts (don’t look at the color of the wires). If you get a -13 volts then you either have the test leads of your VOM backwards or you are miss reading the battery terminals.
It is critical that we find out what is going on here.
If the wiring is what you say, (positive from the starter relay to ground and battery ground to the starter terminal) then don’t move them yet!!!-----

leave the battery disconnected!!!!

We will need to go thru your wiring completely one at a time.
I don’t work this weekend so I will check this thread enough to get you thru this.

[Aussiecrf230]

Don't tell me this battery has been charged up backwards. This is why gal8x wants you to test the battery that way.

I have seen it done on a car battery but never a bike.

If the polarity is reversed the rectifier would be having a fit.

[jason0364]

I appreciate all the help u guys are giving me. I unhooked the battery and its at +13. Before I read this I switched starter wiring like its supposed to be and all u can hear is starter motor spinning. The bendix isn't kicking in. I took the starter to my guy who works on our truck starters and he said starter is fine. Now what haha. Im about ready to find the nearest cliff here in Michigan and push it off haha

[jason0364]

Hooked everything back up the way it was. Talked to service guy at my local Honda dealer he said negative is supposed to go to that post. Hooked it back up started right up. Its only charging around14.5 volts. Is that enough ?

[gal8x]

Hooked everything back up the way it was. Talked to service guy at my local Honda dealer he said negative is supposed to go to that post. Hooked it back up started right up. Its only charging around14.5 volts. Is that enough ?

dude that is not negative. I now officially believe you are just messing with us. Deliberately. That or you are not qualified to have this conversation. Either way I am done with it.

[jason0364]

Haha u wanna start insulting now? All this time I thought I was talking to someone who was wise and mature. Guess not. Why would I make this stuff up? Seriously? Im obviously baffled by it myself. I work on semi's everyday so I know my way around a wrench and an electrical system.

[Aussiecrf230]

14.5 volts should be enough but how much current is actually flowing into the battery?

Have you had the load test on the battery?

Has anyone worked on this starter before?

What was the rattle you mentioned

If someone has reversed the field coils in the starter it will spin backwards. reversing the terminals will make the bike start but the battery would be discharging.

Sound familiar?

This can happen if you aren't careful replacing brushes.

Confirm if the 14.5volts you are getting is when your polarities are correct.

[jason0364]

I dont know if it has been worked on before or not I bought the bike used. When i hooked it up the way it was when i got it it fired up. I revved it up and checked the power right at the battery and it was 14.5 volts. Im not making this stuff up like the other tool said. Im a truck mechanic so i know my way around a starter and charging system. This one however has me baffled. I appreciate all ur help and insight Aussie!

[jason0364]

Im goin to take my battery and have it load tested too.

[jason0364]

Hey Aussie do u think the previous owner could have fried the regulator from charging it with a car charger before I bought it?. After I bought it I put a new battery in it and it only lasted a couple weeks although it did sit a lot. I just thought it was.defective battery. I wonder if regulator is bad and isn't keeping battery charging while im riding. I believe the stator is ok.

[Aussiecrf230]

You really need to get yourself a manual.
The Honda one goes through all the steps to prove the faulty component. You can even get them in PDF format on the net.

If the negative lead from the battery is going to that insulated stud on the starter you will need that issue fixed first.
The negative lead should go to one of the bolts holding the starter on the bike.

It can only be a polarity problem within the starter.

Either brushes wired up wrong or the motor case has been placed on back the front (not sure if this can be done on this starter), but have seen it done on bikes starters before. Post a picture of you starter.

Your guy that does starters should be able to sort this in 5 minutes.

Until this issue is resolved you can't really chase the charging issue. If you install another recifier like this it may kill it as well.

[jason0364]

Ok im going to talk to my guy today and get a manual. I will let u know what I found out. Thanks a lot!