Trouble starting 1150GS

[Colin750]

Hi all,
Looking for advice,
Bike is starting from cold ok but when warm the starter seems to jam, resulting in the clock resetting, although when I try again up to now it has started thankfully!!! It gave me the impression the battery was dead but then confused me as when I tried a few seconds later it started??? Has just recently started to behave in this way although I would rather get it sorted before it lets me down completly. Not sure if its related but bike got real soaking in this wonderfull weather we are having, I recently had to go through a lake like puddle that I know covered the starter motor? Once started bike goes great but have to keep fingers crossed when I stop for fuel as its just to heavy to push!!
All suggestions greatfully appreciated!

 

[Colban]

I think i would start by disconnecting the battery + lead and removing the starter motor.Check for water damage,ease of movement of the bendix gear (the sliding engagement one) and reseating the electrical connections.

 

[Timolgra]

start with the simple

Or loose connections at battery/starter...I once accidently dislodged the starter relay which gave those symptoms

 

[Colin750]

gs1150 starter.. latest

Got the starter removed and lubricated, apparently it showed wear but their was still life left in it, battery was confirmed as being ok, all back together with clean connections and initial start was fine allthough a slight raspy noise from starter. 3 days later back to the old way, out of about 10 starts 3 seemed to jam and reset the clock but a few seconds later started fine?? Loosing confidence as I dont want to get caught out? Think I need a new starter or existing on refurbished, going to get second opinion from an auto spark.

All other checks/ suggestions appreciated.

 

[iftikartaxis]

check

check your earths take them all off clean and protect with petroleam jelly
worth a try before spending your hard earned cash

 

[davegs]

Starter

Sounds like you might ave a fault on the commutator ( the bit the brushes rub on) this might account for intermittant operation, get an auto spark mto have a look.
dave (slow starter, even slower runner)gs.

 

[hodge1150]

I had exactly the same hassle, it turned out it was the solenoid, you have to remove the 2 small rivets and take the starter apart, clean the solenoid and lightly lubricate. This should keep you going long enough to get another one cos you will have to sooner or later.
good luck
Hodge

 

[MJR]

Had the same problem with mine in June on the way back from France . Got to St Malo parked up , went for a bite to eat came back and the bike , ignition on showed the same symptoms as your problem . Got it going with a bump start and got it onto the ferry . Got it home removed the starter and cleand it up , put it back but still the same . Took it out again and had an auto electrician freind look at it . He said that inside the starter body there is a splash gaurd that had come of and managed to weld itself to the armature causing the dead short . He rebuilt the starter and it is now as good as new .
Must also say a quick thanks to Colin and Dee Masters for the offer of help on the Condor ferry back to Guernsey .

 

[Colin750]

finally fixed

Got the bike to autospark and removed starter..... the problem became pretty obvious, part of the casing had broken and the shaft was free, managed to get a 2nd hand starter and tranferred the casing rebuilt the starter and now all is well again!! Lucky it never caused more damage!!