Starting 1150

[grez]

I have read some posts regarding starting problems and see a lot of advice on batteries, however the battery is new but the the starter won't turn the engine. I have heard that turning it over on a flat battery can cause damage to the starter and being stupid I did this to see if it would fire up. It won't jump start of the car so is it more likely I have a buggered starter motor? It has sat a while due to injuries preventing me riding.

 

[littleredrooster]

The battery needs to be fully charged to start the bike. A new battery is never fully charged - it needs an overnight trickle charge to make sure it's OK. It's unlikely that you will have damaged the started motor, more likely that the battery is goosed.

 

[Tarka]

On centrestand but with sidestand still down ??

Not in neutral ??

Killswitch in the off position ??

 

[MattW]

If it won't jump off a healthy car battery then I'd investigate the starter motor. Start by just removing the cover and checking the wiring and connections - dirty or loose connections will lead to poor starting. Failing that whip the starter off (2 minutes) and make sure its not seized - the magnets are glued in place and can come adrift and I have read about problems with the stator plate (I think) which can have the same effect.

Edit - check wot Tarka says first

 

[MikeP]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181651

 

[grez]

Thanks guys,

The battery is fully charges, bike on the sidestand and all switches as they should be. I will have a look at the starter motor when I can get enough room in the garage, I even tried rocking it in gear to free the starter as it allways worked in old cars in the past, though have not resorted to hitting it with the big hammer yet.

 

[Stewart H]

Removing and stripping/cleaning/lubing the starter takes half an hour and can cure quite a few ailments, clutch dust sticks to the bendix. Grease the reduction gears and make sure your magnets have not dropped off

Stewart

 

[littleredrooster]

Don't lube anything which sits in the clutch housing - it attracts dust and will eventually cause problems. It is a pre-engaged type, so doesn't have a Bendix to worry about.

 

[Bastille]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181651

This link shows, in one of the photo's, the cover plate which has come adrift and burnt through. This actually happened to me. The spline of the centre shaft then chewed into the plate until it would turn no more. The effect was exactly as you get with a flat battery, clock re-set, click click click and the sense that there is no power. I called Motorworks and as I'de used them previously, had my post code, the very very kind chap sent a used, but good, replacement in the post. Once fitted it started like a dream and has done ever since. However, the other points (magnets etc) are also possibilities. Take off the starter, strip it down and have a look. If it doesn't work anyway you've nothing to lose.

By the way, I had that bad starting problem for about two years before my eventually gave up completely. I was lucky as I'de just been to the Alps and back.

Good luck.

Bastille

 

[beermonster]

Hope you have this sorted, but thought I would post my 2p’s worth as it may help others.

Had same problem, no starter motor and a disturbing fizzing sound from the fuse box area when the starter was depressed, this as we were just leaving for Le Mans. Anyway the problem was solved by stripping the starter motor, clean and grease. Cleaned all the terminals on the starter and battery, now spins like a good un.

So I would inspect and clean your motor and terminals before shelling out on a replacement, assuming the starter motor internals look ok.

Simon

 

[grez]

Finally got around to looking at the starter motor, late due to work and a drunken weekend in Prague, and as I removed the cover the top fixing bolt for the starter motor dropped out. It looks like the starter was held on by the bottom bolt and had managed to pull away from the engine at the top enough for the gears to not mesh properly. I have also bent the bottom mounting dowel and have a small bit missing on the starter motor casing. Unfortunatly for me the bottom mounting bolt had been fitted with the worlds supply of threadlock so after 20 mins I managed to get it off, lubricating with liberal amounts of blood. The starter motor appears to be fine after testing at work, now just need to cut the dowel off and bolt it all back to see if it works.