gs1000g starter motor, which is best Mitsuba or Nippon Denso?

[DaveWatts]

I just took my Mitsuba starter apart and it looks to me like junk. Totally dirty and rusty. There is continuity between the housing and the positive bolt. So I thinking of replacing it with a Nippon Denso starter which is maybe easier getting spares for.

DSC_0470.jpg

[Steve]

Not sure what is available in your neck of the woods, but over here, we get kits from Stocker's Starters.

Kits for both starters are available.

.

[Redman]

http://www.stockers.com/index.php?dt=SM-8

Brush Holder - Mitsuba Stockers #: SM-8 Type: New Replaces: Mitsuba Retail Price: $37.45 Your Price: $24.95 You Save: $12.50

[Redman]

The rebuild kit includes the insulator for the electrical connection thru the case.

Mitsubas are the 4 brush motors, that I prefere to the Denso (that are 2 brush), but that is just my opinion based only on my general therory.


I would say to rebuild what you have, well, unless the commutator is worn way down and/or if bearings bad. (but are rebuild kits for bearing too).
Or maybe you want another motor if commutator is worn some (uneven, scored) and you dont want to have to dress it up.


My cheap self says to try the $25 option before the $150 option.

http://s6.photobucket.com/user/RedMan52/library/2008_Aug_starter?sort=2&page=1

Or maybe the $150 option will be more productive.

.

[DaveWatts]

The rebuild kit includes the insulator for the electrical connection thru the case.

Mitsubas are the 4 brush motors, that I prefere to the Denso (that are 2 brush), but that is just my opinion based only on my general therory.

.

Not mine, it looks like this, its a SM-229. The 4 brush one looks easier to service, I couldn't find a service kit for the 2 brush type although the one for a Goldwing 1000 looks similar. The Nippon Denso has magnets, which is good in that they are one less thing to go wrong (so long as they stay glued), but are bad in terms of power. Anyway I have got another used SM-229 on the way.

DSC_0473.jpg

[DaveWatts]

Commutator looks like this, dirty but not so worn.

DSC_0469.jpg

[Nessism]

Are you sure your starter is a Mitsuba? I just rebuilt a four brush Mitsuba and it didn't look like your starter.

[Redman]

the one you say you are getting:

	Starter - Suzuki Motorcycle Stockers #: SS-21 Type: New Replaces: Mitsuba Retail Price: $224.95 Your Price: $149.95 You Save: $75.00 Warranty: 1 year Orders placed today will ship: Thursday, April 12, 2018
	Select Country to view shipping cost:
Starter Fits: Suzuki Motorcycle 1977-1979 GS400/550/750 12 Volt, CCW, 9 Teeth Replaces: SM-229

[Redman]

The one listed for 80 GS1000 ..... hum, the same CCW, 9 teeth... maybe some clock difference (not apparent in photos), dont know.

Starter - Suzuki Motorcycle Type: Remanufactured Replaces: Mitsuba Stockers #: SS-5 Retail Price: $209.95 Your Price: $139.95 Core Deposit: $50.00

Starter Fits: Suzuki Motorcycle 1980-1982 GS550 1981-1982 GS650E 1980-1983 GS750E 1980-1983 GS850G 1980-1982 GS1000 1980-1984 GS1100 12 Volt, CCW, 9 Teeth

[Grimly]

Cross-reffing the part number on Partzilla, the same starter fits all of those, but curiously there are gaps that I know it fits. 31100-49050 is the part number of the unit that Zuk used for just about everything for a decade and more.

[DaveWatts]

Just got a 2nd hand 2 brush Mitsuba starter of ebay. it was advertised as having come off a Suzuki GSX750. It is identical to my old one (I had a look at the brushes, state of the commutator etc.) and is in very good condition. I'm now waiting for a dry day in which to fit it, damn Hamburg weather!

[bwringer]

Cross-reffing the part number on Partzilla, the same starter fits all of those, but curiously there are gaps that I know it fits. 31100-49050 is the part number of the unit that Zuk used for just about everything for a decade and more.

Yep, I went down the same rabbit hole of chasing part numbers and cross-referencing once, and there are a huge number of Suzuki models with compatible starters. Basically, if it looks the same, it will almost certainly fit -- look for the two offset mounting holes at the rear.

I've never noticed much difference in reliability between the Mitsuba or ND starters. Maybe someone has some stats.

What kills GS starters is mostly corrosion, neglected valve clearances, and badly tuned carbs. If the Mystery Hole (drain hole under the starter) gets plugged with debris, the starter cavity can fill up with water. And if your valve clearances or carbs are neglected, then the engine is hard to start and the starter spends way more time than it should grinding away. A properly tuned GS should spring to life in a fraction of a second when cold; just the slightest whiff of the starter button is all that's needed.

[roeme]

(...) A properly tuned GS should spring to life in a fraction of a second when cold; just the slightest whiff of the starter button is all that's needed.

This is what both of mine do, most of the time. Also why I quite like to kick-start them.

They do want a bit of choke though, duration depends on environmental conditions.