won't idle, won't start

[c-dogg]

well i had just finished jcslocum's wiring mod and the bike ran perfect for the first time out. but as soon as i shut it down and started it for another hop around town it refused to idle. it runs strong and drives great, but drop the revs and let it idle and it just quits. that was about two weeks ago. now ive got it to my friends garage, but it its struggling to start. the starter solenoid strats clicking rapidly after about one crank, and then the bike wont turn over.

i have every confidence in jc's wiring mod. i did the wire mod before i read about the need for a diode, and lo and behold i didnt use bosch relays. crap. so that is definitley the first order of business. but the sequential failures make me wonder if there are other gremlins at work?

havent pulled it a part yet, so maybe its the weber (yay!), or the battery is dead (doesnt explain the idle), but just wondered if these symptoms set off any red flags, electrical or otherwise? thanks

[redpaso]

Could it be the dreaded voltage regulator/rectifier?
Drains the battery & she just don't start. When mine started to go it would start & then cut out & not start again. when it totally stuffed things up was mid ride, backed off the power, engine died & then nothing.

If the battery is dead this could be the reason, check it out.

[jcslocum]

Sounds like the battery is flat. Make sure to charge it up as you inspect your wiring job. It might not be charging for a million reasons but the first place to start is with the last work that was done.

I don't have diode typr relays on my bike so don't start there. Just follow the wiring and make sure all connections are clean and good.

[fasterdammit]

Yeah, my first thought was battery, too. Not enough juice to turn her over, but just enough to make the solenoid jump ...

How old is the battery? I only seem to get about 3 years out of mine ...