Starter spins, but not engaging

[oldrookie]

Suggested workflow...

Tear it apart, inspect all (with pictures for diagnosis on GSR,) order the parts needed after confirming that it is worth rebuilding.

Miss anything?

 

[old_skool]

nope. remove, clean, inspect, replace, re-install, RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE

 

[oldrookie]

Found the rebuild kit. Starter is a Mitsuba SM-8227 and the kit is an RBK-40.

Question- I've found several suppliers, but the applications are all over the map. A kit labeled RBK-40 ought to be the same no matter where the the starter is used, correct?

 

[old_skool]

This is the one I bought. http://www.ebay.com/itm/35040134939...Categories&_from=R40&_nkw=350401349392&_rdc=1

 

[oldrookie]

Thanks. Looks like the same as what I was looking at.

One last question. How do I clean the internal parts of the starter so I can inspect the amature (sp)

Contact cleaner? Compressed air?

 

[old_skool]

Thanks. Looks like the same as what I was looking at.

One last question. How do I clean the internal parts of the starter so I can inspect the amature (sp)

Contact cleaner? Compressed air?

Most everything that needed cleaned, I was able to do with a dry paper towel, no grease inside, just messy carbon, think of a semi load of #2 pencils exploding, compressed air should be fine for the armature, just wipe with a clean rag. Take your time so you know how everything goes back, it the 2 starter outer case screws give you any resistance, use the impact screw driver or vise grips as no to booger them up, and maybe even try to shoot some penetrating oil where it screws into the housing, if these break, they are hard to source.

 

[oldrookie]

Used penetrating oil and the impact driver to get the screws loose. Lots of carbon, as promised. Haven't much time to mess with it today--had to go get middle child from college today.

 

[old_skool]

Make sure you get all the spacers and washers in the right order during re-assembly, there's a pretty good blow up diagram of it in the pdf manual.
I just got back from watching my Granddaughter at track. Took the bike, man, I just love that 1100 when you hit them high rpms in the lower gears, just exhilarating, guess I can see how addictive it must be to the crotchety rocket types.

 

[oldrookie]

I return from the garage victorious. The bike starts!

Proof that a guy with no skills can use a hammer and a rake and still rebuild a starter.

Took me some time to figure out how the brushes go in, but after that--sweetness and light prevailed in the garage. Fired up on the first push of the button.

Good thing, bump starting is apparently only fun if you are under 50. Didn't care much for it.

I'm hoping I got everything stuffed back in correctly, but for now...IT STARTS!

Next, learning to solder so I can fix my front brake light switch.

 

[robertbarr]

I return from the garage victorious. The bike starts!

Congratulations!

The first time I rebuilt a starter, I had the advantage of having nothing to lose if I failed; if something got screwed up, the old starter simply became the core to return after buying a replacement. It was still very satisfying to get it right on the first attempt.

In this case there was consequence to failure. Nice job!

 

[oldrookie]

Thank you, sir. I was really intimidated by this one, but once I understood how it had to work...not all that bad.

 

[old_skool]

Good for you, did you end up buying the rebuild kit in the link I sent? Now your an expert, Can I and everyone else send them to you in the future
There easy...kinda, not a lot of fun, but gratifying when it works as it should.

 

[oldrookie]

Good for you, did you end up buying the rebuild kit in the link I sent? Now your an expert, Can I and everyone else send them to you in the future
There easy...kinda, not a lot of fun, but gratifying when it works as it should.

Pretty sure it was the same kit, but a different vendor. DB Electrical, an Ebay vendor, had them for $26 and free shipping. Located in TN, so I figured the shipping wouldn't take long. Ordered by phone right before they closed on Friday. Spoke to a real nice guy--knew his stuff--and had the kit on Wednesday.

Any starters sent to me will likely be donated to Goodwill.

Only tricky part was figuring out how the springs work to hold the brushes in place. I remember you said something about toothpicks in reference to putting the brushes in, but never did figure out how/where you must have used them.

 

[Liquidkool]

I'm having the same issue with my 450 starter is making a spinning sound but isn't turning the engine over. Does all the gs bikes use the same starter and would the rebuild kit discussed earlier in this thread work for me? If not anyone know of one that will work BTW its a 81 450. Thank-you all

 

[old_skool]

I'm having the same issue with my 450 starter is making a spinning sound but isn't turning the engine over. Does all the gs bikes use the same starter and would the rebuild kit discussed earlier in this thread work for me? If not anyone know of one that will work BTW its a 81 450. Thank-you all

I'll have to let other 450 owners chime in on compatibility, but if it's the same starter then the kit can be used, I know mother suzuki used these starters on a lot of different bikes

 

[Liquidkool]

Okay kool waiting for other 450 owners to chime in thanks old skool. So was it the brushes that give out or what?

 

[old_skool]

Okay kool waiting for other 450 owners to chime in thanks old skool. So was it the brushes that give out or what?

pretty much, all carboned up as well.

 

[oldrookie]

Two of the brushes were completely destroyed in mine. Completely carboned up as well.