Well, what a frustrating start it has been to having this bike! When I collected it from Rob's it had been sat for a couple of weeks under a cover in the cold and rain. When I started it, it was very sluggish but did eventually start - Rob and I looked at each other and said "new battery".
We made it home ok and then she took up residence in the shed. Each time I tried to start it, things were the same and I actually had to pull the clutch in to take a bit of load off before she would even turn over. I gave the battery a good charge and it was no different.
So I bought a new battery - no difference.
So I bought a new starter solenoid - no difference.
So I swapped the new battery for a "better brand" as recommended by the forums - no difference.
So I tried using my boost pack - no difference.
So I cleaned all of the relay connections - no difference.
So I gave every earth point a really good clean back to bare metal - no difference.
So I removed the starter motor, connected it directly to a battery and it span freely. Replaced it - no difference.
So (clutching at straws now!) I checked the valve clearances (they were very tight) - no difference.
So I checked that the engine was turning freely and there was no undue resistance - there wasn't.
So I've concluded that the starter motor is stuffed and can spin up when off the bike but not when there's any load on it. I've ordered a new one from Hitchcock's. If that doesn't sort it I can't think of anything else to do.
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