Unable to get starter to turn.have rplcd batt.cables.rplcd starter relay,solenoid,starter also rplcd.bike mostly rewired added a ground cable to solenoid from frame.does also have an added pushbutton switch{on bike when purch.}this be used as main source of starting.{bar swiches only some time work}.when i can pwr to starter it will get bike started. now im wondering if batt. to small in power/amps.any help GREATLY APPRECAITED..rewire done to eliminate possible shorts/broken wires. real beast to get to start{jumpstart/bypass,power direct to start term.} seems to run ok when running..be it possible batt too small in amps??

firstly make sure the batt. has the right amps and if thats OK then check if the starter relay works , then check if the starter engages when you press the. ignition if not get a new one, lastly check the ground cables. intermittent starter issue might be storage of your bike cold , Good luck

well is it a electric start then battery red cable goes from battery red + to starter solenoid battery + term and battery black -- neg cable goes to any ground, if you have a key switch then battery red pos cable goes to key switch batt term and red "S" solenoid then goes to starter switch. the ground stays the same also a black ground goes to ground to key switch this turns it off

After everything you've changed, the next thing to look at is the starter solenoid.

get some wire that's equal in size or larger gauge than the battery cable (a jump start cable works great) and connect from one side of the solenoid to the other momentarily. The starter should engage. If it doesn't, you have either a dead battery, bad battery cable, or the starter relay is bad. You can also try a jumper from from the battery positive terminal to the starter side of the solenoid. If it engages then the the battery cable from the battery to the solenoid is bad. To test the relay, put 12 volts dc on the trigger side and the relay contacts should close. You'll hear them close with a click.

Check your battery cables loose connections common cause.If good then check at startesolenoid and starter. Try jumping solenoid with screw driver blade if engine cranks replace solenoid.NO crank still then remove starter jump starter with jumper cables by hooking ground batt to starter case and touching batt pos momentarily pos wire stud on starter.starter should turn if good .

Replace the cable from the starter to the starter solenoid with a thicker cable.

I had a 67 & a 77 Sportster 25 years ago & helped a friend build custom fuelers in his shop part-time thru the 90s. I don't have manuals anymore, but I'll help with what I can.

Your starter is under the battery cage and the batt cage is under the seat. You need to disconnect the batt cables & remove the batt. If you have a lot of custom add-ons like lightrails & saddlebag mounting gear you may need to remove some of the accessories to get to your starter.

With the battery out you should be able to see the starter underneath the batt cage although you might not be able to see much depending on your bike's details. The large ground wire attaches to the side of the starter field winding with a bolt and the case grounds it to the rest of the bike. You may be able to remove the starter without removing the cage but most likely you will get better access by removing it first. Depends on the tools you have and your specific setup as to what might be in the way.
There are 2 bolts to remove the starter from the gearbox, but you might have additional stabilizer brackets on the starter to contend with too.
You have one of 2 problems- either the solenoid isn't kicking the gear out to the clutch hub gear or the gearcase has a problem keeping the starter gear from engaging. You'll have to remove the gearcase clutchhub cover to get to the hub gear assemblies.

Most likely to fail is the solenoid and you can often clean up the copper disc with emery cloth or flip it over if badly pitted to renew the solenoid.
Good luck and keep us posted- hope this helps.

Sounds to me like there is a short in the starting system that is causing this (or it's wired wrong). Ford starter solenoids are known for problems. The reason the starter will turn after the cable is disconnected is because the circuit (or in this case short circuit) has been broken . I'll bet if you replace the starter solenoid, your problem will be solved. I think it's just "shorting-to-ground". Good Luck!

You added an extra ground but did nothing with the positive cable. It's time to replace that one, possibly using better quality cable then stock.

poor connection or ground cables can look good and be bad just like me! also the sarter could be the problem if the relay isnt carrying enough amps when the starter engages