So I'm out on the shovel last weekend with a mate when we pull into a pub after 2 hours riding. Go to leave the pub and the shovel won't start (electric). I like to run with the headlight on. So I get a push and clutched it, got home no probs. Went to shut it down and it 'ran on' for a bit. Tried to start it straight away and the battery has died again. Found a red wire near the back of the battery with a rub mark on it where it was catching and exposing some cable. Wrapped it up with elect tape and good to go, so I thought. 

Slow charged the battery to full over 2 days, go to connect the battery (pos first) and as I tried to connect the negative the damn thing tries to start.  

New starter motor several months ago. 

Any ideas what I should be doing / checking please. 

PS: I am no electrician by any stretch. 

So if it still tries to start with the positive off the ignition, then the solenoid is toast? 

So I take it that I'm then up for a new one or can they be repaired. Only bought it new about a year ago. 

And if it does not try and start then that indicates the ignition switch (on the bars) is toast, yes?

It's been acting up for some time, like not wanting to work. Sometimes if I do a 'Fonzy' and hit it, it will start the bike, very frustrating.  

Cheers

Thanks for replying guys, much appreciated. Well it looks like I got me some gremlins within. But having said that, the bike now starts and runs.  

I head out to the garage today and I thought before I start as per your suggestions I'll check the red wire repair connecting onto the positive terminal of the battery (from the ignition switch) this wire was identified as shorting out on the edge of the battery tray. It looked well insulated, so I thought I'll have one more crack at connecting up the battery to confirm that the starter motor was cranking over as per previous (without the key in). Bugger me, as I'm connecting up the neg terminal after the pos their was nothing, no hint of the starter motor turning over as it did before. So I disconnect it just to make sure then reconnect again and still nothing. I've heard and read of horrible little fires / melt downs etc so I went carefully. 

I turned the ignition key and both neutral and oil light lights come on as they are supposed to. So I crank it over with the starter button and bingo I'm back in business. 

Saddled up and went for an hours ride. Stopped to get fuel and their was hesitation when I went to restart it at the starter button, as it has done for some time re the Fonzy knock/tap (on the handlebar switch block). Fired back up and I was last seen grinning like a goat sucking on a lemon. 

I'm not convinced that all is good as it just seemed to fix itself, somewhat worrying.

Thanks guys.

You're def right re the switch block playing up with the potential to leave me roadside. Have to pull it off and see what I can do to make good. 

Of course that's a good thing about owning a bike, as you can always clutch them.

HD (AMF) weren't paying enough attention when they designed and made our handlebar controls, in my opinion. 

They suck dogs balls especially with the ever failing front brake button switch. I've replaced mine 3 times in 2 yrs. 

Plus not enough room inside the switch unit for everything to sit there and not be under duress. We all should and I'm sure, wrap the handlebar with electrical tape behind the switch unit in order to reduce the chance of shorting out. Ah the fun and games owning a shovel.  

Cheers guys. 

PS: My name's Bernie but I gave myself a tag similar to Roo Ted (love it).