Odd starter problem...

[dnctrk]

So I recently got my 1150 on the road after a year of sitting in the garage. Ran GREAT. Rebuilt motor with an 1198 kit, welded crank, meant for racing, but placed in an '83 750 frame . I rode it for a while, then it just didn't start, the starter spun, but didn't catch. Opened the crankcase, saw the teeth on the starter were worn out and one tooth on the starter gear was broken off, which probably caused the teeth on the starter to wear out. So I went on ebay, order a used but good condition starter and starter gear. Popped them in, bike started right up. GREAT. After riding around, I shut the bike off for a few min, then went to start it up again, sounded like death, very slow hesitations when spinning, spun like twice, but finally started. I got the bike home and just let it cool off. Next day, tried cold starting it, started up just fine. Weird. Rode it, came back home, shut it off, tried starting it up while warm. Nope. A little half spin, then nothing. Now when I try to start it cold, it doesn't start or even try to catch, just spins. I'm assuming it's just another bad starter, but before I buy a nice pricey brand new one this time, could it possibly something so simple as the starter solenoid? The stator and regulator are brand new, but the starter solenoid is the original 750. Can that be messing with the starter? I don't think it's starter clutch or sprag gear since it's spinning, probably the starter. Just got a new 1150 solenoid, about to try it out. Any thoughts? Should I just get a new starter?

[tom203]

"Now when I try to start it cold, it doesn't start or even try to catch, just spins. "

You mean the starter motor is turning but it isn't driving the crank,right? I doubt the solenoid is the problem, but have you pulled rotor to inspect the starter clutch? That part about broken idler gear indicates a large resisting force.
Your used starter might just be too weak for this setup.

[dnctrk]

Tom thanks for the reply, no I haven't pulled the rotor as I'm assuming it's the starter and I don't have a puller to get it off. I'm trying to find a higher performance starter for an 85, 86 1150 motor, but to no avail. There's a place near me that does all racing parts, I'll give them a call on Monday see if they can help me out. Do you know where I can find one?

[bellucci]

When I used my motor for a street bike, I had the same problem with hot starts... We think the starter motor becomes a heat sink and things get too tight. I am using that motor at the track, and it does the same thing.
Check for drain on the battery from bad connectors also... Trip found a bunch in my 83 ES... There are stronger starters... Paul Caschio advertises on Dragbike.com a lot... Look on the bottom...
Curt

[Steve]

There's an awful lot of ASSUMING going on here, that's usually not a very good sign.

I'm assuming it's just another bad starter, but before I buy a nice pricey brand new one this time, could it possibly something so simple as the starter solenoid?

If you are getting electricity to the starter motor, there is obviously NO problem with the solenoid. It is just a remotely-controlled electric switch. If the starter is spinning, it's apparently doing its job.

I don't think it's starter clutch or sprag gear since it's spinning, probably the starter.

"Not thinking" turns out to be the root problem in many cases. If the starter is spinning, but the engine is not, how can you suspect the starter? It is, after all, working.

It would be much more productive to find out why the spinning motion of the starter is not being transferred to the crank and that involves ... oh my, the STARTER CLUTCH.

If the starter clutch is spinning, but the crank is not, your problem is in the starter clutch, but it's inside the clutch, where you can't see anything until you remove it.

Just got a new 1150 solenoid, about to try it out. Any thoughts? Should I just get a new starter?

Shouldn't have to re-hash this, but you brought it up, so ... if your starter is spinning, you don't need a new solenoid. A new starter won't change that, either.

Tom thanks for the reply, no I haven't pulled the rotor as I'm assuming it's the starter and I don't have a puller to get it off.

You can do a quck check without pulling the rotor, but you do have to pull the stator cover.
If you put a 2x4 under the left foot of the centerstand, you don't even have to drain the oil before pulling the cover.




Once the stator cover is removed, bump the starter button to see if the gears are turning, but the crank is not. If that is the case, run your fingers around the edge of the starter clutch, which is just behind the rotor. If you can feel any bumps in the smooth edge, you will need a new starter clutch. Those bumps are the result of the crank kicking back, jamming the clutch parts back into their bores, trying to push them through the rim.

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[Redman]

You asked an "odd" question, and some of the odd members here have answered you with good answers.
I am probably one of the other "odd" members here, and I too have an answer for you.

Is not a solenoid problem. The solenoid is an electrical device, it just swtiches the current on to the starter motor. If starter motor is runing, the solenoid is doing its job .
The solenoid is not like some automotive solenoids that "throw" some gizmo "into" someother do-flopper.
So, if starter is spinning, is not an electrical problem, is a mechanical problem (starter clutch).

And, Welcome to GSR.
We will require picture of your bike before we can preovide any further advise.

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