Is this normal?

I tend to only use my SW in the summer since it's not my main mode of transport and here in the UK motorcycling can be a bit unpleasant in the Winter. I know that makes me a biking wuss… but hey I’m at peace with myself.

Anyway I do try to start her every few weeks in the Winter and let her tick over for a while. Last Winter on one of these occasions all the lights, etc came on when turning the ignition key but when I pressed the starter button nothing happened. So knowing the battery was the best part of 10 years old I ordered a new one. Once on the bike she started as normal and everything was good for a while.

Today I went to turn her over and she did start but there was a slight delay of a couple of seconds until the starter motor finally decided to kick in.

So I stopped the engine after a few seconds and tried again to see if I would get the same delay. This time nothing happened. The lights, horn and all other electrics seemed to be working fine, but the starter motor would not engage, not even turn over or audibly click.

So I took the new battery off the bike (never sure if it's possible to charge it still attached??? don’t want to fry anything) and put it on charge. After approx 1 hour the battery was charged to full capacity. So then I popped it back on the bike. Once again there was a slight delay after turning the key, holding the brake and pressing the started button... but again after a couple of seconds the starter kicked in and the engine sprung to life.

As I write the bike is ticking over in the garage. So my question is, is this normal? For example does the SW need to build up a charge in a capacitor feeding the starter motor before it engages? To be honest I've never noticed this delay happening when the bike is being used regularly throughout the Summer months.

So any thoughts or advice?

Incidentally I don't check in here much during the Winter, which I guess makes me a somewhat unfaithful part timer, but I just want to say that whenever I do check back I always find this is the same civilised, pleasant and helpful place I left... something that's rare amongst many forums. Of course the caveat would have to be the threads on dark side tires… how did that turn out incidentally , has everyone converted??? ;-)

Check first...
Do you squeeze the left brake firm from the first try?
You have to hear 2 clicks when your ear is close to brake lever.
Check the Voltage of the battery after the battery is 2 hours in complete rest.
Minimum 12.4 Volt. = 50 % capacity
90 % = 12.6 Volt = better.

If OK...

Startrelais error...loose contact. ... startmotor..; hard to say from here..;

If the switch in the left brake lever, or the starter switch are not at fault, then I would investigate for corrosion at the starter.