I've been having problems with either my switch (item #14 on the Side Cover @ Battery drawing) or the connector (part of the wiring harness) coming out of it. What happens is, I'll push the connector in and might have power and might not. If I don't, I push or pull on the wires until I have power and then I can try to start the bike. Mine isn't in very good shape and I think the wires have been damaged. Does anyone have an extra on of these starter switch lying around that I could buy? What are my other options? For the wires, I figure if I can get hold of the connector and about 8" of wire, I can splice them in. Or does anyone know the exact connector and pins that are used and where they can be ordered from?
It is called a starter solenoid. You need to un plug the connector and give it a visual inspection. Probably only one wire is not plugged all the way in. You do not need to splice ALL THE WIRES. NO...NO...NO
Did a good inspection of the connector last night. It's not problem, the solenoid is. I have one tagged on ebay at the moment and it looks like they are still available from Honda if I need to go that route.
OK, here's a question. I found starter solenoid on eBay, but it's for a 86 VF500F and I have an 85 VF500F. Are they compatible? It does look different than the one on my bike (item#14 on the Side Cover + Battery diagram). The one I'm looking at from the 86 is item #15 on the same diagram. Should I keep looking for a used one or just break down and buy a new one?