Starter rebuild - GS850 - need sources

[Grimly]

The starter is a Mitsuba SM-229, and is now fairly long in the tooth, so not many places are stocking parts for it. However, in the event of it eventually falling off the cliff, I'm looking at possibly rebuilding one using alternative parts - like trimming brushes from a Bosch, for example, and taking the snail springs from something else.
This starter seemed to have been widely used in many small to mid (and larger) Japanese motorcycle engines under different guises, with differing end/mounting plates and different output splines, but the guts were the same, so this info might be useful for owners of other makes.
Has anyone tried this yet, or even if not, has anyone got a decently cheap, reliable source of Japanese starter bits that also knows their stuff and what will fit what?

[tom203]

Starter motor 31100-45040 was used on lots of suzuki bikes - here's a cross reference. Over here, used starters are plentiful on eBay. One unit off a 650 that I have is marked rebuilt by Rick's



Alpha-Sports


- Part Number Cross-Reference - Where Used


Part Number or Accessory Name


1977 SUZUKI GS400B - STARTING MOTOR (GS4008)
1977 SUZUKI GS400XB - STARTING MOTOR (GS4008)
1977 SUZUKI GS550B - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA ELECTRIC)
1977 SUZUKI GS750B - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA)
1978 SUZUKI GS1000C & EC - STARTING MOTOR
1978 SUZUKI GS400C - STARTING MOTOR (GS400C)-2
1978 SUZUKI GS550C - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA ELECTRIC)
1978 SUZUKI GS550EC - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA ELECTRIC)
1978 SUZUKI GS750C - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA)
1978 SUZUKI GS750EC - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA)
1979 SUZUKI GS1000LN - STARTING MOTOR
1979 SUZUKI GS1000N & EN - STARTING MOTOR
1979 SUZUKI GS1000SN - STARTING MOTOR
1979 SUZUKI GS550EN - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA ELECTRIC)
1979 SUZUKI GS550LN - Untitled
1979 SUZUKI GS550N - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA ELECTRIC)
1979 SUZUKI GS750EN - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA)
1979 SUZUKI GS750LN - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA)
1979 SUZUKI GS750N - STARTING MOTOR (MITSUBA)
1979 SUZUKI GS850GN - STARTING MOTOR
1980 GS850GL - STARTING MOTOR
1980 SUZUKI GS1000ET - STARTING MOTOR
1980 SUZUKI GS1000GLT - STARTING MOTOR
1980 SUZUKI GS1000GT - STARTING MOTOR
1980 SUZUKI GS1000ST - STARTING MOTOR
1980 SUZUKI GS750ET - STARTING MOTOR
1980 SUZUKI GS750LT - STARTING MOTOR
1980 SUZUKI GS850GT - STARTING MOTOR
1981 SUZUKI GS1000GLX - STARTING MOTOR
1981 SUZUKI GS1000GX - STARTING MOTOR
1981 SUZUKI GS750EX - STARTING MOTOR
1981 SUZUKI GS750LX - STARTING MOTOR
1981 SUZUKI GS850GLX - STARTING MOTOR
1981 SUZUKI GS850GX - STARTING MOTOR
1982 SUZUKI GS850GLZ - STARTING MOTOR (MODEL Z)

[Steve]

You can get what you need at Stockers Starters.

.

[GSX1000E]

Perhaps there is someone on the Island or in Europe that can supply parts?

[Grimly]

Tom; yes, I discovered the part number spread earlier today and was intrigued to find a Denso and later Mitsuba 4-brush version were fitted apparently at random, depending on availability I suppose. Of course, I have the 2-brush unit which is harder to find bits for.
I was also trying to find if some later model of anything, anywhere used a compatible starter that might be pressed into service on the GS engine, with a change of mounting, but nothing's ever that simple.

Steve; that supplier is pure gold - got everything I need, but their shipping prices are beyond sanity; $32 to send an envelope with a pair of brushes in it. Otoh, their listing for the 2-brush Mitsuba had size information and I discovered the old brushes are effectively unworn, so that's saved me some time and money. I'll put the cleaned unit back together and spin it over. It was full of the grime of years which had gunked up the easy movement of the brushes in their holders, and no other fault was found, so I'm hopeful it's ok.

GSX; oh, there are suppliers of starter bits and pieces here, all right, but they can't be assed looking things up if it's not in their supplier's catalogue, hence why I hope to find a supplier who actually knows their stuff and gives a rat's ass.