Starter issues: pinpoint issue or full rebuild?

[Guest]

So quick question: I've got issues with my starter (and kickstarter) on my 79 GS750L. Last summer I would try to start it but it would try to start but not get anywhere. No big deal, I'll just kick start it. After a while of riding I'll come home, and I figure I might as well check to see if it'll start when I push the start button, and I get nothing, not even a click. I did get a new battery, and tried starting with it fully charged and still got nothing.

Now, I spent so much time kick starting it I stripped the kick lever and will need to replace it (maybe even the kickstarter shaft, though I hope not). So at this point I can't start the bike in any way. I was planning on fixing the starter but in my research I found that a new solenoid would only cost $15, and a rebuild kit for the starter motor would be also $15. So I'm think why not do both (replace and rebuild)? I don't know how long the solenoid would last and how long the starter motor would last either. It seems like I should just do them now for the peace of mind for the next few years

Should I find out what the true issue is or just go all out?

[tom203]

"Should I find out what the true issue is or just go all out?"

it would have been nice if you had determined why the electric starter failed before, but..... Your solenoid is likely ok.your connections need attention,and a rebuild starter kit might save your motor, IF it ain't fried. Did the starter ever work for you?

[sam000lee]

Agreed. If it suddenly went dead one day and never worked again I would guess bad connection somewhere grab the wiring diagram off BassCliff's site and try to track it down.

Does the solenoid click when you hit the starter button? If so then could be your starter motor but in my experience the starter motor will work intermittently as it is dying (i.e as the brushes are getting too worn).

[greg78gs750]

also, how many times are you having to kick it? a properly sorted gs should start first kick everytime, even dead cold. sounds like multiple issues going on, consistent with neglected maintenance.

[jbronin]

Yeah, I should have mentioned it has worked in years past, just not when the bike is cold. It's always been difficult to start on a cold day. Of course at some point it just didn't start via the electric starter and I figured the battery needed to be replaced anyway so I did that, but it didn't solve that problem.

[jbronin]

My GS certainly has issues that I'm trying to resolve. I have no info on previous owners, but it's condition says it wasn't treated too well.

[jbronin]

Does the solenoid click when you hit the starter button? If so then could be your starter motor but in my experience the starter motor will work intermittently as it is dying (i.e as the brushes are getting too worn).

I'll have to hook the battery up and check, but if I remember from last summer it was mixed results. Sometimes it'll click and others it won't

[greg78gs750]

trace the wires, check all the connections, clean/replace bad ones....have you seen the top ten newbie mistake thread? lots of good info there....

[hillsy]

Short the two posts of the solenoid together and see if the starter motor spins (this bypasses the solendoid). Make sure the bike is in neutral....

If that works then you know the starter motor is OK.

[uk gs nut]

Also I would point out, to change the shaft the engine has to come out and split the crank case .

[jbronin]

Short the two posts of the solenoid together and see if the starter motor spins (this bypasses the solendoid). Make sure the bike is in neutral....

If that works then you know the starter motor is OK.

You know, I think I'll give that a shot. I'd like to avoid tearing too much apart, so hopefully it's just the solenoid.

[jbronin]

Also I would point out, to change the shaft the engine has to come out and split the crank case .

Well, lets hope I don't need to do that now because a bit beyond my skill level, with too little work space and equipment. I'd just end up paying somebody else to do it.

[jbronin]

trace the wires, check all the connections, clean/replace bad ones....have you seen the top ten newbie mistake thread? lots of good info there....

I've read it before, I should read it more often. Also, I'll definitely spend more time on the electronics. Mine seem like they'll need the work.