Starter problems

[drjpb]

I am kinda new to dealing with starters. Have a 1982 GS1100G, 34000 miles. Lately When ever I leave the bike sitting for a week or so I go to start the bike and it seems the starter is not engaging all the way. I hear clanking and sometimes the starter just spins. After the bike is warmed up its fine the rest of the day. I'm worried that something may get damaged. Should I pull off the cover and check the starter clutch or just replace the starter first? Any help is appreciated. Thx.

[Steven Conlan]

When you said clacking - the first thing I thought, starter clutch.

Trouble I had was I could not see it till I remove the rotor (which wasnt easy).

[chef1366]

Starter clutch. You probably sheared off a bolt or two. Soon it will quit all together.
Buy a rotor puller and take off the stator cover.
It should come to you after that.

[drjpb]

Can you tell me where I can purchase a rotor puller? Thx

[chef1366]

Can you tell me where I can purchase a rotor puller? Thx

I see them on Ebay all the time and places like Z1.
Don't use heat because the magnets are glued on the rotor.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/

[drjpb]

I pulled off the cover. I'm concerned that there is some damage to the clutch. There are 3 spots on the outside where it looks like the metal has broken through. See the pic.

[tkent02]

I think it's probably a good thing you took it apart when you did. I hope the loose parts are still inside the clutch assembly.

[rphillips]

Any ideas of why it works fine after warmed up, but gives trouble when cold?? My buddy's "83" Honda CB1100F was doing this same thing, only worse. First start-up every morning would take many bumps of the starter button. Most times with just the starter gears spinning, but every few bumps, it gave a slight clank, like it was trying to catch, but didn't. Finally after maybe 40 or 60 bumps it would catch & start. After it started & warmed up, it would start fine the rest of the day. Next morn, same thing. We took it apart yesterday, expecting to find a broke spring or two, in the clutch, but everything looked fine. Thinking the old springs may have lost a little tension in the past 27 years, we stretched them appx. 3/8" & put it back together, and all worked fine. Will take a few days for me to be confident it's fixed, but yesterday eng. was cold & everything seemed good. What's the deal with warm or cold, would the springs apply more pressure to the rollers when warm & less pressure when cold??? I know I was working on a HONDA, but the starter systems are almost identical to the SUZUKI.

[chef1366]

Engines spin easier in warm oil.

[drjpb]

Do you have a Suzuki OEM part number? I found several on on ebay. Thx

[drjpb]

Not sure what size I need.

[chef1366]

http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2166

[drjpb]

Thanks a lot.