[solved] Starter motor pinion doesn't mesh with idler gear?

[Synthead]

I'm fixing up my 1983 GS450E after it has been sitting for quite a while, and I think I may have replaced the starter motor with a salvaged one at one point. The motor physically fits in the crank case, but the pinion gear slips and grinds against the idler that it should be meshing with. Did Suzuki make starter motors with different pinions? I think I may have installed an incompatible starter motor ages ago without realizing it, but could this be the case?

[Grimly]

Iirc, the most common one was 9-teeth on the pinion, but there was also a 10-toothed one, in the same physical housing for some applications. So yes, it would be possible to do exactly what you describe.

[Synthead]

Hey great! I have a starter motor on the way that is supposed to be the exact Suzuki OEM part number! Can't wait to pop it in!

[Synthead]

That was it! The replacement works great!