R1150GS

[a2zworks]

Hi all,
Currently on my last 1K km of a 5K km trip to Queensland and back, 4 days ago the clock started resetting to zero upon most starts and also the starter sticking onto the crown for a second too long on every start.
After a search here I came to the conclusion that I need a new battery.

Battery on it is OEM BMW 21Ah, bike is year 2000 which I've owned for 3 years.

For those Autralian members, what good battery do you recommend me to purchase please.

Regards all

 

[david a hall]

The third fuse has blown under seat... Mine did that new fuse and it stopped...

 

[a2zworks]

Ok, will check before setting off this morning.
Thanks Dave

 

[Roger 04 RT]

Sounds to me like your battery is fine but the starter needs to be cleaned.

 

[david a hall]

Ok, will check before setting off this morning.
Thanks Dave

Might be 5th but I think it's third.... But I have a million quid on it...

 

[Hay Ewe]

I think it is the 5th fuse - but check them all.
As for the starter - I think it needs a clean, they get gummed up with dust and dry out.

If you do need starter parts, contact euromotor electrics in the USA - the can supply the individual parts for the starters

 

[a2zworks]

Thank you all for you quick replies.
I will check all fuses, and once I get home on Sunday I'll strip the starter and give it a good clean and inspect.

How is it that a blown fuse still allows things to work, although not correctly?

I'll return with a verdict.
Pablo����

 

[Roger 04 RT]

Pablo,
A blown fuse won't cause the clock-resetting problem that you're having. If fuse 3 is blown, the clock will go out when the key is off but will come on with the key.

Your problem could be the battery but since your starter drive is getting stuck out, cleaning but not lubricating the solenoid is a good idea along with cleaning and lubricating the other moving parts of the starter.

 

[a2zworks]

All fuses are fine.
Thanks for the heads up Roger, will clean and lube starter where required tomorrow afternoon at home.
I need to get to Melbourne this afternoon for an over night ferry crossing to Tasmania.

 

[ahutcheon]

I'll vouch for a starter clean fixing the sticking issue, or at least it did for me. I didn't have the clock resetting problem, but it makes me wonder if your starter is shedding its magnets or otherwise semi-jammed and drawing lots of current?

 

[King Rat]

My clock would go back to midnight when I turned the ignition on - it was a battery on its way out. New battery and everything fine. 104,000 miles and I have never opened the starter and it still spins fine. I will keep an ear and eye open for signs of trouble though, thank you for the early warnings.

For lubricating the solenoid, is there any particular lube material that should be avoided, or specified? I have some lockmakers graphite lube powder here if that would be better than a liquid or grease.

 

[Roger 04 RT]

I'll vouch for a starter clean fixing the sticking issue, or at least it did for me. I didn't have the clock resetting problem, but it makes me wonder if your starter is shedding its magnets or otherwise semi-jammed and drawing lots of current?

+1, definitely remove the nose to lube the planetary gears and check that magnets and gear cover (which sometimes drops onto the armature) are intact.

 

[a2zworks]

Just boarded the Ferry.
When I inspected the fuses this morning I pulled fuse 5 for about 10 min and rolled the throttle 3 times to reset the Metronic, set the correct time and stayed correct after 3 rest stops and starts at time of riding breaks.
On the 4th restart the clock re set to zero again.
There you have it, I thought I sorted it out
Just clocked just over 5K km in 3 weeks, the bike has 63K km on the clock.
Thanks all again for the valuable info.

 

[kennyc]

sounds like starter motor magnets loose and jamming the starter, causing voltage to drop when you start, when mine went it took a year almost to the day to identify the problem, as it only showed up in hot weather and on high usage days (like on tour ) for months around town it would work just fine then it went down 200 miles from home, got it bump started with a full tank and rode it home, ordered a new starter that day and never had another problem with it for the next 7-8 years.

 

[Hay Ewe]

if it is starter and you need parts - remember to check out Euro Electrics - that I noted in my post above

 

[Aidan1150]

I think you most likely have a dying battery but if you are going to clean the starter you will find this thread by the late MikeP invaluable.

HTH

 

[a2zworks]

if it is starter and you need parts - remember to check out Euro Electrics - that I noted in my post above

Yes, thanks Hay Ewe for the contact will keep in mind if I need parts.

 

[a2zworks]

I think you most likely have a dying battery but if you are going to clean the starter you will find this thread by the late MikeP invaluable.

HTH

Thanks Aidan, I will go through MikePs thread tomorrow, as I have other things in mind tonight if you know what I mean , as I was away from home for 3 weeks.

 

[a2zworks]

sounds like starter motor magnets loose and jamming the starter, causing voltage to drop when you start, when mine went it took a year almost to the day to identify the problem, as it only showed up in hot weather and on high usage days (like on tour ) for months around town it would work just fine then it went down 200 miles from home, got it bump started with a full tank and rode it home, ordered a new starter that day and never had another problem with it for the next 7-8 years.

That sounds about right, same simptoms I am experiencing, thanks Kenny
I hope I can repair mine as its only been playing up for about a week, I don't really fancy spending hundreds on a new starter when the cash could be put aside for next years trip.
Also, if I can salvage it with parts from Euro Electrics as Hay Ewe advised would be OK.

 

[a2zworks]

Thanks Roger and ahutcheon, I will follow instructions.