CB77 starter issue

[Merz64cb77]

I'm looking for some help with my starter. I have the right handle bar start button completely dis assembled, positve battery terminal hooked up and the ignition key in position I ie. Off but for some reason as soon as i hook the negative battery terminal up the starter turns on and won't turn off. Any ideas?
Thanks

[Geoff Hastings]

Position 1, you should be able to crank the engine without it starting. If the engine spins over immediately you connect the earth wire to the battery then either the solenoid has jammed in the on position or the red and yellow wire from the solenoid to the headlamp has been shorted to earth. Do a continuity check across the solenoid big terminals, it should read open circuit if not the solenoid contacts have stuck. You could also try removing the lead to the starter and then connect you battery lead, if there is a click heard from the solenoid then the red/yellow wire is shorted to earth. You can, if careful dismantle the solenoid if it is faulty.

[Merz64cb77]

Thanks for the advice Geoff. I'll try both recommendations and see what happens. I think the red/yellow wire is grounded somewhere because this issue is new. I'll open the headlight bucket to take a look and also do a continuity check across the wires.

[Geoff Hastings]

Also check where the loom emerges from the frame by the forks.