New Solenoid

[Sharpie66]

Gentlemen. I need to purchase a new solenoid for my '82. Should I be considering something other than OEM at this time?
It is hard for me to accept that those $20 solenoids on ebay could even come close to matching the quality of the $80 OEM.
Just curious if there is an 'upgrade' I should be looking into.

Thanks so much for any assistance given and please....Ride Safe and have a Great Day!

Patrick

[Z Grand]

I bought one of the E-Bay solenoids last year --- working fine so far. Actually I bought two -- one for a spare.

[Sharpie66]

Gentlemen. The guys at Northeast Vintage tested my solenoid and it is fine. 'Dang' I said as that would have been an easy fix. Once again back to the drawing board.

Flash forward.....after having gone through every circuit and taken my alternator off to test, I eventually discovered that it was the NEW battery that I installed last weekend. Although I am suspicious that this was solely the issue, I am glad to be back riding.

Todays lesson.......Don't underestimate the effect of the obvious when troubleshooting!

Ride Safe Gentlemen!

PC

[daves79x]

Was your first new battery a standard lead-acid one? If so, that can happen at any time. Most guys are going with one of several brands of AGM batteries, that are not much more than a decent (if there is such a thing) lead-acid one. AGMs also end the possibility of acid spills on the frame and pipes and taking the seat off once a month to add water. AGMs don't need charged as often and you can hit them with a 5 amp charge (actually recommended).

Dave

[Sharpie66]

It was an AGM. I believe the dealer I went to unwittingly sold me a suspicious battery. It had been removed from the box previously by the dealer and charged. They had gone so far as writing ''charged'' on the side of the box. This, combined with my issue, leads to the conclusion that something ''janky'' was associated with this battery. No worries, though, as I was told they would honor a return.

Consequently, I now have clean connections throughout my X and my start button works beautifully as well. Naturally I became quite obsessed with finding the root cause of my problem and it eventually took me to the inner workings of my start switch. Boy was that grimy inside of there. Sure is bright and shiny now! BTW I did get the last of the grime out of the corners.

image.jpg

I will and hope that button (and battery) work every time. I need all systems working as I am planning a ride from Buffalo to Indiana to Colorado to Arizona and then back to Buffalo. Time to see some family and friends I haven't seen in many years.

Ride Safe Gentlemen and Have a Great Day!

PC

[NobleHops]

Well done all the way around!