Burning smell, now only rapid clicking when starting

This morning the bike started normally, but I immediately noticed a burning smell while it was running. I rode it for a short distance, shut it off, and after that it would not start again.

Now I only get a rapid “click click click click” when pressing the starter button.

I have not measured the battery voltage yet.
No previous starting issues.

Where would you start looking first?
Starter solenoid? Ground issue? Regulator/rectifier? Collapsed battery?

Easy stuff - check the batter votage on the digital dip[lay - sounds like it might be low - enough to click click the starter but not enough to kick it into action.

If the Rectifier wiring or something burnt out - you will not get 14 volts when it's running - but you can't get it running right now...to check that - easy enough to get the plug of the rectifier and look for corrosion / burnt wires.

charge the battery up and see if it starts - hopefully does and see then if you have charging voltage 14 + volts

If the starter motor has an issue - more like the brushes in the commutator - the soleniod is easier to check with three little bolts holding the cap on to have a look - but you need to disconnect the battery for that (under the tank )

Fuses - wiring issues ....

I've had all these issues and fixed them myself - the rectifer wiring corroded due to a very wet ride - replaced the plug and connections and taped it up.
The brushes wore down on the starter - i replaced them - but eventually the commtator gave up and i replaced the whole starter which was actualy easier ( although one bolt is behind the starter ring gear is a pig to get to !!

I have no problems starting now !

you have to be willing to poke about and find out or pay some one else to.

Jansen said:

This morning the bike started normally, but I immediately noticed a burning smell while it was running. I rode it for a short distance, shut it off, and after that it would not start again.

Now I only get a rapid “click click click click” when pressing the starter button.

I have not measured the battery voltage yet.
No previous starting issues.

Where would you start looking first?
Starter solenoid? Ground issue? Regulator/rectifier? Collapsed battery?

Click to expand...

It sounds as if your battery has fried itself. To check the battery voltage, pull back the cover from the thick cable connected to the starter motor and connect a multi meter lead to that bolt, and the other to any good bare metal on the engine. What do you see? If you get over 12V it's probably OK, but otherwise not.
If it's 12V, start the engine and watch the voltage. Anything over about 14V and the Reg/Rec needs replacing.

Thanks.

Battery voltage was 11.99. Around 6-7 When starting.

Didnt know it was a 9aH 210CCA battery. Ordered a better one

Jansen said:

This morning the bike started normally, but I immediately noticed a burning smell while it was running. I rode it for a short distance, shut it off, and after that it would not start again.

Now I only get a rapid “click click click click” when pressing the starter button.

I have not measured the battery voltage yet.
No previous starting issues.

Where would you start looking first?
Starter solenoid? Ground issue? Regulator/rectifier? Collapsed battery?

Click to expand...

Mine did this a while back ended up getting starter replaced seemingly a common fault, symptom was constant draining of battery then the dreaded click

Bootneck81 said:

Mine did this a while back ended up getting starter replaced seemingly a common fault, symptom was constant draining of battery then the dreaded click

Click to expand...

The Starter would not drain the battery. There is parasitic drain from the clock. It's important to have a good battery and a rectifier that works - charging the battery. I have my digital clock on the Volts all the time now to make sure it's charging when running and not below 12.1 - 12.2 volts when i start it.

Beetleything said:

The Starter would not drain the battery. There is parasitic drain from the clock. It's important to have a good battery and a rectifier that works - charging the battery. I have my digital clock on the Volts all the time now to make sure it's charging when running and not below 12.1 - 12.2 volts when i start it.

Click to expand...

That voltage seems a bit low for starting Beetleything. 12.6 - 12.8v for a healthy fully charged battery I think. Lithium on my bike sees it @ 12.9-13.0v for clean starts. These bikes are all different of course - all part of their ‘charm’ right!

Stephen_Spencer said:

That voltage seems a bit low for starting Beetleything. 12.6 - 12.8v for a healthy fully charged battery I think. Lithium on my bike sees it @ 12.9-13.0v for clean starts. These bikes are all different of course - all part of their ‘charm’ right!

Click to expand...

Yes that's the lowest it wil give it a good kick over - when i am using it once a week it sits at 12.6 Volts usually. I tried a trickle charger over the winter but i think it killed the last battery i had. Got a YUSA YTZ14S -AGM - 230 CC Amps - all good so far.