Bike won't start unless I rock it in gear!

[James Santry]

As I own a 1150GS, I hope you don't mind me asking a question about my
R1100S as I presume the problem could easily be the same as if it was a 1100GS.
Recently I have had problems starting the bike. When I press the starter button, nothing happens.....nothing at all! If I put up the side stand, nothing still happens. It is only when I put her in gear and push her forward with the clutch out, the starter motor kicks in and the engine starts. I took off the starter motor and had a look at it. Everything seems to be fine, as far as I know. There were no worn teeth and when I put power to the terminals it started every time. The bike is 2001 but it only has 9,000 miles on the clock. I released the switch from the throttle side and squirted some light electrical oil into the area. It is quite hard to see the actual electrical connections without stripping it down completly and I didn't want to make things worse than they already are. The battery is fine as she is always connected to a trickle charger.
If anyone can give me any hints of what the problem might be, I would be very thankful.

Santy

 

[g.s.john]

i sometimes get the same problem on my 1100g.s. when i turn on the ign the neutral light occasionally does not come on check the neutral switch that could be why it starts it starts when you rock it in gear

 

[davegs]

Rocker

Make sure the starter isent sticking.
Another useless hint from dave gs.

 

[Gecko]

Dunno for sure but have you looked at the clutch switch - it's just inside the clutch lever housing at the handle bar end. There's a small switch in there which may be corroded or knackered . You can by pass is quite simply by following the wire back down under the tank - it leads to a small plug where it joins the wiring loom. By running a lead across the lower part of the plug (after disconnecting the upper section that feeds up toward the handlebars) you can by pass the switch with a small bit of wire and you'll know immediately if this is causing you any grief. If this switch is dodgy it will stop you starting the bike normally.

 

[James Santry]

Thanks guys for the advice. Does anyone else have any idea of what could be the cause of the problem, so that I can spend a couple of hours trying different things to resolve it? If I am going to have to start stripping things down a bit, I would prefer to check several things at once so that I won't have to get my hands too dirty, if I have to go at it again some other night.

 

[littleredrooster]

Starter motor brushes are stuck/goosed. Quick overhaul is needed. Cheap and easy - bits are all available from motor factors because starter is the same as fitted to lots of cars.