I looked at my diode, its just a grey ball, with a blue mark. Pic later, maybe.
I think I had a similar problem. With my past problems, (not going to get into it now) I plugged everything in, and attempted to estart. I had no click. or anything else for the starter. (lights turned on) I pulled out the seloniod. (I had pulled it all the way off the bike)
I tested the starter. I had a spare safe wire to use, and touched the two wires together with the wire. The starter worked. (tested it twice to make sure it wasn't my imagination)
Then and Undid both the thick cables, Size 10 nuts, and re-tighten them on.
i put everything back the way its suppose to be. In fact,
I grabbed the test light, Told my wife to man the button (starter button) She pressed it once, and it worked. I had assumed my TCI/CDI was shot, so I tested it with both original, and new one. Both worked. New one first.