Good to know, Verslagen.  I replaced the relay, but I will be listening closely for continuous running of the starter from now on.  It’s interesting you brought that up because when I tested the relay it had continuity but I didn’t consider if it was breaking the circuit and shutting down.

I cleaned up the kill switch and start button housing assembly with electrical contact cleaner.  It was functioning before I cleaned it, but it felt pretty sticky.  You have me thinking the start button could get stuck and continuously sending juice to the starter.  Hopefully I’ve got it cleaned up; I don’t need any more things to worry about and monkey with on this bike.

Brushes are made of carbon-graphite. As they wear they make a mess inside the motor and can actually inhibit the motor from starting just from the dust. You will note that the brushes have springs under them, that is to ensure constant contact. When the brushes become too short they will not longer make strong contact with the comutator.

Installed the starter and previously installed new battery and solenoid and Woody fired right up!  A buddy and I took a ride for Woody’s longest ride yet, about 30 miles of suburban boulevards and back roads.  I must toot my own horn and say all the work we’ve done worked out well.  Woody runs pretty darn good.  Barnett clutch springs give new life to the clutch and it feels great. Verslavy CCT has the chain humming nice and quiet.  New semi-metallic front brake pads work too good - I’d like a bit more progressive feel (that should improve with a few more miles).  Valves sound nice and quiet but not too tight after re-doing the valve lash a second time (didn’t want to go too tight and not enough clearance the first try).  The rejetted and rebuilt Mikuni VM36 performed marvelously.  Murray at Murray’s Carbs is still in disbelief that I swapped out the 165 main jet he installed with a 200 main jet (Lancer’s recommendation).  No signs of being too rich at WOT and I’m interested to find out what kind of gas mileage Woody will get with the 200 main.  All in all, Woody is finally running pretty darn good!  Thanks to everyone for all your help and patience with me!

Now, do I sell it or keep it?  I’ve still got a small pesky oil leak which I think is where the stator wires come out of the crankcase cover.  Just enough to be annoying!  It doesn’t leak if the bike is level on the motorcycle stand.  Only leaks when leaned over on the side stand.  I may have to try to fix that.  It’s bugging me!