click click vroom!

[John B]

My 2001 1150gs has developed a habit over time and I wonder if anyone else has had this issue. When I attempt to start the bike , the first 2nd and 3rd (sometimes more) pushes of the starter button result in a click and nothing more, she will then fire up and run perfectly normally!. I have thought of the usual things , low battery (has a new one and use an optimate 4)) meta alarm, (now stripped out) and faulty starter button (r hand switchgear replaced) but still this persists. Clearly I can live with this but worry that one day it won't start at allporbably miles away in some foreign field. any thoughts or pearls of wisdom/experience
Cheers, John B

 

[bowser]

My wifes bike had a similar problem and it was the starter motor, as you pushed the button the starter was giving so much resistance due to the magnets falling apart and the dust/debris causing the problem eventualy one of the magnets came away and jammed the entire thing solid.
I would have a look there first

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

Perhaps what may be easier in the first place would be to check the reliability and operation of your Starter Relay.

 

[MattW]

Yes, I had exactly your problem from the sound of it:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269918

I stripped, checked and cleaned the starter motor (twice), changed the starter relay and went over all the electrics concerned with the starter. I never got to the bottom of it but it started working again (my best guess was / is the starter button in my case - it seemed to start working again after I 'vigorously' manipulated it).

However, in the event that this happens does anyone know if you can bypass the button and hotwire the bike (with the ignition key in place so I'm not asking how to steal it) by running +12v to the spade on the solenoid?

 

[Dazlove]

Starter Motor Woes

I had the same thing.
As time progresses, the first, second or third press soon becomes 10 - 20 presses.
In the end I got fed up with that sinking feeling every time I stopped for fuel and the thought that it wouldn't start.
I did try the cleaning route, but in the end fitted a secondhand starter and the problem was instantly cured.

Hope you get it sorted.

Regards

Dazlove

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

Yes, I had exactly your problem from the sound of it:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269918


However, in the event that this happens does anyone know if you can bypass the button and hotwire the bike (with the ignition key in place so I'm not asking how to steal it) by running +12v to the spade on the solenoid?

I reckon that should work with the ignition switch turn on. I'm doing some stuff to my bike soon and will have a go at that and will let you know.

 

[MattW]

I reckon that should work with the ignition switch turn on. I'm doing some stuff to my bike soon and will have a go at that and will let you know.

That would be great

 

[Uncle Crumpet]

Yes, I had exactly your problem from the sound of it:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269918

I stripped, checked and cleaned the starter motor (twice), changed the starter relay and went over all the electrics concerned with the starter. I never got to the bottom of it but it started working again (my best guess was / is the starter button in my case - it seemed to start working again after I 'vigorously' manipulated it).

However, in the event that this happens does anyone know if you can bypass the button and hotwire the bike (with the ignition key in place so I'm not asking how to steal it) by running +12v to the spade on the solenoid?

turn ignition on, bike in neutral, and short the starter main lead across to the solenoid wire with a screwdriver, unless your solenoids stuffed it will work.

 

[MattW]

turn ignition on, bike in neutral, and short the starter main lead across to the solenoid wire with a screwdriver, unless your solenoids stuffed it will work.

Brill

 

[B4ndit]

turn ignition on, bike in neutral, and short the starter main lead across to the solenoid wire with a screwdriver, unless your solenoids stuffed it will work.

Watch for the sparks and the zangy electric sound.

 

[John B]

Hi All, thanks for the replies, i'll try the solenoid 1st (when I figure out where it is) and enquire at motorworks about starter motors(They might even p/ex my old switch as it wasn't that after all) Cheers, John B