Starting problems

[Robw]

Hi all, as usual bike didn't want to go to its MOT and wouldn't start.
Here is the problem.
Starter relay clicks when starter button depressed. I have checked the voltage across the starter relay and it is 12V but drops to 1V when starter button depressed. I have also checked all the cables and connections and they seem okay.
When I was at the Festival of 1000 bikes, before the last session it would only turn over very slowly, so I fitted a new battery and also a chap with a starter box had ago and it did not make any difference, but eventually it caught and ran with no problems during the session. (Thinking about it, it started turning over slowly well before the weekend hence me buying a new battery)
The starter relay was replaced when I rebuilt the bike so it hasn't had that much use, but I have not touched the starter motor.
Could it be the starter motor has given up and seized?

Cheers Rob

[z1bman]

first check the battery voltage/ earth lead to engine / starter motors suffer from burn out + oil contamination / starter clutch / stator+ rotor also check that the battery is charging

[PAULJAC47]

Short out the large contacts on the solenoid with a screwdriver,see if that makes a diff,as said on post before this check all earths.if need to wip out starter motor and check brushes and continuity between copper segments on rotor you can always check motor off load gripped in a vice with a pair of jump,leads..Paul J

[Ginger Bear]

Rob,

I'd put my money on worn brushes.

Z1enterprises do 'em for the earlier models, probably worth an email to see if they have them to suit your starter.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/Starter-Mo ... -4152.aspx

[big green bus]

I had something very similar, tried everything you did and decided it was the starter motor, just before I began to replace the motor I give it a t**t with a steel bar and it started to work fine. I think it just needs stripping and cleaning as per the manual and as Steve says the brushes looking at.

[Robw]

Cheers all, do I have to remove the engine cover to get the starter out. I know it says so in the manual, but the manual doesn't always follow the easiest route.
Rob

[london calling]

Just the starter motor cover itself Rob.
Remove the bolts and lift it out

[z1bman]

you can leave the generator cover on the bike. has the bike suffered from difficult starting in the past? if so you will need to rectify this if you are going to put new starter parts on otherwise the starter will eventually pack in again

[Robw]

Hi, just removed the starter and stripped it down and it is absolutely knackered. It was very hard to turn the shaft and some of the brushes were dust. A wire had broken off one of the brush mounts and the commutator has heavy wear on it. There is a smell of burnt electrical components. So I am going to scrap it.
See my wanted post.

Cheers Rob

[steve bowdler]

try

http://www.westcountrywindings.co.uk/index.htm

[Rich]

you could skim the commutator and put new bearings / brushes in if all else is good. Check (renew) the starter cable as well while you are at it.

[Robw]

All sorted it was the starter, spins over nicely now.
Cheers Rob

[big green bus]

what did you do in the end fix or replace ?

[Robw]

I had to replace it as the all the brushes were knackered, the bearings were shot and the wires to the brushes were badly corrodrd. Turns over very easily now, proberly knackered for quite a while.
Rob