if it is battery wouldn't the headlights be dim and shouldn't my optimate charger indicate that it isn't healthy?

If it's clicking then you have two possible issues.

Dead battery

Stuck starter soleoid / gearing..

That little can is the starter solenoid.. think of it as like a big switch for the starter motor (the thing that turns the engine over to get it going)

If it's buzzing the bike might sized up if its been standing.

First check the battery, try another if you have one.

If the battery is ok.

Put the bike into 6th gear.. (push is while liting the gear lever.. when you get to 6th you shold be able to push the bike forward and hear it turning over (indicates nothing is siezed)

now.. put it back into neutral and press the starter.. does the can still hum? tap it with the handle end of a screwdriver (hard enough to move it not hard enouguh to dent it, were not trying to kill it)

I've seen a few solenoids stick.

If it's still not turning over replace the solenoid.

thanks i will try this, much appreciated

Solenoids (starter relays) tend to buzz on the button when there isn't enough power to make it click normally.

I think it's new battery time for you... batteries are delicate little things and can go useless in a matter of months, even if not used- I've got a duff 'un that wasn't charged for four months (after filling with acid and fully charging it when purchased) and is now kaput.

thelucky7 wrote:ok i will get a meter asap and check out how to use it. if i do the tests and the starter is bad do i need a new starter?

I took out a couple of 30 amp fuses, one from the top, one from the bottom of the relay,neither looked like they had blown?

could be a knackered battery, probably over 4 years old but hasnt had a lot of use . will a multimeter tell me if there r problems with the reg/rec?

In which case it is almost certainly "just" a failed battery. I have never yet had a cheap battery last 3 whole winters. Get a new one, then use your shiny new multimeter to check that the bike gets about 14.4 - 14.8v at 5k rpm. Let us know how you get on!

Don't do this as it's probably wrong; could he not try to bump it?

iDemonix wrote:Don't do this as it's probably wrong; could he not try to bump it?

He could, and it "might" work, but more likely a cell in the battery has gone off and so effectively there is no circuit across the battery, and even if it gets bump started or jump started, it'll probably not run. It certainly won't have the power to maintain a good tickover.

New battery time, or everything else is wasted effort.

cheers guys you're a great help, as soon as I get time I'll let you know who was right :) i've never bumped a bike, this cud be even more difficult than normal as it hasn't been started for a while.

best place for a battery?

quick and easy place..halfords..
but you can get cheaper from the web.. just depends how quick you want one :)
Bumping a bike aint exactly hard but it does take a certain knack to it when on your own....
ignition on, 1st gear, clutch in...push like fuck running alongside.. throw ya leg over and soon as ya ass hits the seat. let the clutch out! if the back wheel locks up you aint pushing fast enough.. or you aint timing your ass hitting the seat with letting the clutch out..
its far easier if you got a mate pushing you whilst you are already on the bike...

I always thought it was 2nd, or was that for cars.