I'm getting ready to pull the engine to fix some of the oil leaks. Long story short, some of you have had suggestions for me regarding why I can't get a spark going on this project bike.

I still get nothing when I go directly from the battery to the starter motor. well, I shouldn't say nothing...it tries to crank and then just stops. Starter tested out fine on the bench, all other electricals (solenoid, ingition coil, CDI) worked fine on my good bike).

Still no joy when I try to crank it directly from the battery or any other method I've tried. It acts as if the starter gears are seized up or something but when I took the stator cover off and turn them they rotate fine in one direction but are really hard to turn the other way (is that normal?).
I'm still pulling the engine but this is kinda driving me nuts!
Any suggestions? Can I try to get it turning over once I pull the engine by doing the same battery to starter test or will I be in for a rude surprise?
thx

Sounds like its the compression. Take the sparkplug out and see if it turns over.

Thanks all, as far as the compression scenario...I had the plug out so there shouldn't have been any resistance there. Versy, it certainly could be the washers you had told me about before but from what I saw on the starter gears everything seemed okay. It's as if the gears turn but then stop and then make a "rrrr....rrrr" sound like they can't get anything spinning...
I guess after the engines out I can get in there a bit deeper and see what's up. The question is can I run the battery to starter test with the engine out?

Thanks! Just don't want the thing jumping off the bench!

Put it in neutral other wise you'll be chasing it down your driveway.