Starter spins, but not engaging

[tom203]

That appears to be the beast.

Guess I'll pull it apart and see what's going on with. Rebuild seems like a good option.

Let us know, as I'm curious as to what was spinning if the shaft wasn't.


Edit; visit Tips and Tricks forum for DIY starter repair

[oldrookie]

I'm curious too. Something was making a "whir" inside the case, but the shaft wasn't turning.

I tapped it with a hammer and hit the starter button. Shaft started to spin, but slowly and it made unhappy noises while doing so. Didn't run long.

I'll tear it apart this evening and see what going on internally.

[old_skool]

If you need a replacement, they show up all the time on ebay, fairly cheap sometimes. My boneyard here is littered with them, not sure how much, not sure how reliable they would be, another ebay seller sells complete rebuild kits for them, around $25-$29

[oldrookie]

old_skool,

Have you rebuilt one before? From what I have picked up while reading about this...the fact that it runs when tapped indicates it might be bushes. Does that fit your understanding?

How specific are the starters to specific bikes? Is substitution likely?

[old_skool]

old skool,

Have you rebuilt one before? From what I have picked up while reading about this...the fact that it runs when tapped indicates it might be bushes. Does that fit your understanding?

How specific are the starters to specific bikes? Is substitution likely?

The GR takes the same one as my 1100L, my starters are interchangeable, if you take your time, they are easy to rebuild, the tricky part is keeping the brushes in place when re-installing them, toothpicks, the old bushing gets chiseled out, the old bearing taps out easy enough, the kit comes with everything, but there is no telling what shape your armature is in, I rebuilt one once, and should have inspected it better as I had a bad one with a burnt winding. Inspect it well when you take it apart, there will be a lot of messy carbon build up inside.

[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/350401349392...392%26_rdc%3D1

[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!