Starter woes

[radek22]

Hey guys. My electrical issues continue - few months back ignition fuse has blown, now it seems it might be time to get a new starter. Starter will turn over one or two times, then only click. Happened at the gas station recently, it would only give out clicking sound when starter button pressed. I was able to push-start the bike, arrived home and checked the starter again, and it worked. All fuses are new, battery topped up. Seems like a intermittent occurrence at the moment, but I'm concerned the starter might be dying out slowly.
Never had an issue with the clutch switch, but I'm going to look into this today. Bike always started without clutch lever pulled, not sure if it was by-passed or worn out.

Safe riding everyone, and happy Independence Day to all members from United States. Cheers!

[radek22]

gs1100e.jpg

Picture for attention

[Grimly]

There's a very good chance that all you need to do is clean the starter of the mixture of carbon dust and oil mist which forms a gunge, making the brushes stick in their holders.
Next step up is a brush plate kit from Stockers (or similar supplier to you in Canada).
Next step is a full-on rebuild kit with bearings, seals, etc.

[Redman]

Starter turning a few times, and then only solenoid clicking. . . . could be starter problem, but also suspect weak battery. Either battery old-weak-marginal or not well charged.

Tell us about how old is the battery?

You have a volt meter?
Check battery voltage with key off, then with key on and with lights on. Report here.
When do get it running, check battery voltage at mid rpm (4.5k or5k). Report here.

[radek22]

Thanks for responses guys.

Redman - battery is about four/five years old, but has been maintained regularly with Genius charger and it just has been topped up (don't have a meter atm, purchase coming up).

Grimly - thanks for the tip, found a YT video on cleaning/ rebuilt, seems a pretty straight forward job.

Cheers guys!

[Brendan W]

.... and don't forget to check the earth strap back from crankcase to battery.
It's out of sight and can have trouble at the connections.

[Redman]

.................
.......................- battery is about four/five years old, but has been maintained regularly with Genius charger and it just has been topped up ..........
.................!

Ah, How many years do you expect....?

Just topped off? Meaning? It was low on fluid? Meaning is an ordinary lead-acid-flooded type (that can add water)?

[radek22]

Ah, How many years do you expect....?

Just topped off? Meaning? It was low on fluid? Meaning is an ordinary lead-acid-flooded type (that can add water)?

Fluid is (and has been) at proper level and battery has just been charged. It is an older one, but has been maintained well, and without heavy use. I'll check voltage output once I get the meter. Cheers