I finally had a good day to spend a few hours working on the bike. Took the primary cover off to see what's happening with the starter/solenoid. I haven't bought ANYTHING yet until I know what going on in there.

And, turns out what's going on in there is pretty common. The solenoid pushes out a Bendix gear that engages the clutch-basket gear to turn the engine over. That's happening as it should. The solenoid also sends power to the starter motor that spins the Bendix gear. That too is working. What isn't working is the Bendix gear. It's made to turn only one direction. That way it can apply torque to the clutch-basket gear. And if the motor starts while the Bendix gear is still engaged, the Bendix gear will spin freely, saving the starter motor from overrunning. Well, in the case of my Bendix gear, it spins both ways, so no torque can be applied to the clutch-basket gear and thus the starter can't start the motor.

So, off to Bear's for a Bendix gear and a primer on replacement. Without getting too technical (too late, I know), this job involves a lot of specialty tools I don't own. Lots of unrelated parts have to come off to be able to get to the Bendix gear. Probably more than this shade-tree mechanic should be attempting on his own.

Now I have to find a mechanic who'll do it; one who I trust; and one who won't break the bank. And, I have to find a way to get the bike to whoever I choose somehow.