Katana Owners Club U.K.

The bike has been running well for the last 2 years, but suddenly today the bike won't start.
The symptoms are that on pressing the starter button, there's a single click from the starter relay solenoid located by the battery and the starter motor doesn't fire up so the bike won't start. Sometimes there's no click at all.
I'm not very mechanically minded, but did try the following:
I was able to bump start the bike successfully.
The fuses under the seat all seem ok.
I've tried a new battery which made no difference.
Making an electrical contact between the 2 terminals on the starter relay solenoid with the ignition on doesn't fire up the starter motor.
Any clues how to proceed or which component might have failed?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Starter buttons are fragile on these. On my old 550 i had to wiggle it around sometimes. Using pressure on the top of the button etc. If that doesnt wotk take the switch off and give it a squirt with squirty stuff.

Pete

Starter motor, easy fix but to get it out you need to take carbs off

To test it attach a wire to the terminal bolt and the + of a battery the body is the earth so a wire from there to the _~ of battery .......if it jumps out your hands it's ok .......but it won't!
Either take it to a car starter motor repairer which is what I do now £30 .
Or order the contacts from Suzuki , common to most GS range.
Undo the 2 long screw on the starter motor itself when you have it out . Slip the end off ,....it is magnetised, change contacts and wipe the copper centre commutator over to clear it off the old carbon
The starter motor. Is
Only held on by 2 10 mm bolts under the cover plate.

Thanks callyboy and fossie.
Yes, my starter button is the same and sometimes takes a bit of jiggling to make contact and get the bike to start.
Pity they hide the starter motor behind the carburettors since I don't fancy removing them to gain access. Looks like I may have to take it into a garage to do it.
About 10 years ago the starter motor failed and I seem to remember the carburettors had to be removed then to gain access.

No worries.

Isnt the starter under the carbs ?

Cant you take the starter cover off and try what fossie said?

Pete

shame ya need to get the carbs off.... can get the 1100 motor out without removing the carbs, with some patience

But only if you have small fingers...........not sausages

managed it with mine... complete pain to try and re-alling the bolt holes etc when sticking it back id with clutch cable etc, but small ratchet (was gonna say small tools but thought better of it!) and wobble bar... all is do-able

But you have the afore mentioned small fingers as bobster mentioned

Craik you mentioned fitting a new starter a while ago was it 2nd hand is so, obviously it was used , so forget the fact you fitted another, so don't rule it out.
However if you going to get the bike shop to do it , it will look expensive so check the smaller stuff first.
The black/ wire on top of air box from fuse box area of loom , it is the short one that goes to starter solonoid by the battery box. Take apart wire brush it and join again.
As callyboy said try another switch , Someonere can send you one to diagnose , I hope, believe.
It can be done with carbs in situ. But it will take forever, re fittings carbs is easy on a 650 if you attach the carbs to air box first, then heat inlets with hair dryer, finally push air box and carbs complete from the back as a lump once lined up ,a satisfying thud means they are home.
Good luck.