1985 VF700F starting issue

Went to go start my bike the other day, got power to the headlight, etc and some turn overs but no start. Eventually just started clicking. I hadn’t started it after the hurricane came through the NC area, during which it was unfortunately outside. Didn’t blow over or anything, but I have heard of corrosion/rust affecting the connections on some of the older VFs, which leads me to believe it may be an electrical issue. Took battery to AutoZone, battery holds charge but bottoms out under load. Got a new battery, tossed it in, still getting lights, etc but no start. Sometimes when holding the starter, the lights on the cluster will flicker in and out, often seems like the bike itself is flickering in and out. On one singular attempt (I haven’t been able to recreate) I lost tension in the clutch momentarily.


I’m pretty certain it’s an electrical issue, obviously, but I have no idea where to begin for a diagnosis. Any ideas?

 

look at the main connections at the starter sokenoid plug, checking for evidence of heat or wire melting.

 

Will check it out soon. Just realized that the replacement battery I picked up has 120CCAs v the OEM battery's ~200. Would that be enough of a change to cause this issue? Is it a situation where the battery was in fact bad and the issue, and my replacement just wasn't sufficient?

 

sure could be

 

So, I got a new, larger battery and still getting a no-start. Checked for corrosion on all the connections and the starter ground wire, nothing. Picked up some carb cleaner, going to try starting it that way to rule out a fuel issue. Wouldn't necessarily explain the, or at least what seems like, electrical issues, but it could be an errant symptom that isn't necessarily related to the no-start. Attached a video of the sound it is making- it isn't necessarily consistent, often I get more engine noise as well, or just starter clicks after attempting to start it a few times.

https://youtube.com/shorts/RkFXiJmOUvc?si=5tJ51tWbH3Gq19Rd

 

have u pulled a plug wire to check for a spark ? measure the battery voltage with a meter, must be at least 12.5. low voltage wont start.

 

It sounds like the battery is under powered yet. The speed of the starter motor sounds very slow. I would suggest that you "jump" start it from a car battery to see if it turns over faster. Do not have the car running when you do this.

 

Charged battery fully, pulled fuel tank off and tried to start with some starting fluid:

https://files.catbox.moe/a9h5g5.mov

Still nothing. Next I'm going to try pulling the spark plugs. I'm imaging it's either that or an ignition coil, at this point. Worth mentioning the carbs looked pristine, the dude I bought the bike from didn't mention anything about rebuilding them but they've definitely been cleaned semi-recently.

 

ingition coils rarely fail. its sumthin else. probably not the plugs either cuz if it ran b4 the plugs should b ok.

 

Have you tried jumping across the solenoid? Easy test.

 

Real late update, but I had a mechanic come out and look at it eventually. Turns out, there are pinholes in the tank- let water in during the hurricane, and the fuel wasn't igniting. Getting the tank resealed now, will update once I get it back on.
Guy said it wasn't electrical as far as he could tell, and almost certainly had to be a fuel issue. Apparently, some carb cleaners will refuse to ignite and that's not a proper way to outlaw a fuel issue.