Hard to start when hot 1100g

[bonzo]

I took my 82 1100g for a good run today. Very warm day here in Qld Oz , about 33 deg and about 70% humidity. I rode the bike for about 150 kms out in the Gold Coast hinterland, lots of twisties and brisk riding. I then stopped to fill up. But I couldn't get the bike started afterwards. It sounded as if the starter motor was struggling to turn the motor. I let it cool down for a bit and tried again, it sounded better but still no start. I was going to start a roadside diagnosis of the electrics/fuel/etc but thought I'd try a push start which worked no problems. We then stopped at a pub for a quick lunch and the bike cooled for about 45mins I was ready to get my mates to give me a push again on the way out much to joy of the 20 bikers gathered outside but it started off the electric starter first go Anyone experienced this? My initial feeling was that when it first stops it briefly gets even hotter with no airflow and the motor tightens up. Has me worried that I wasn't far off having a seized engine but other than the above problems the bike ran perfectly and showed no signs of any problems.

[chef1366]

Starter brushes are worn or need cleaning.
Also clean the battery connections before and after solenoid.
Clean the main earth ground on the battery.

[cyclefvr2]

check the oil levle if your low they will be hard to start,when hot,maybe a rich jetting as well any jet changes in it?

[bonzo]

oil level is good. new 15/50 castrol oil. Will check the starter. I've never cleaned or replaced the starter bushes, what's involved?

[hampshirehog]

Typical starter motor worn brushes or dirty armature. I don't know if you can pull the starter motor on your bike without pulling the carbs off as well - worth a go as it'll cut down on the time by a lot.

Stripping the starter is a pretty easy job but a bit longwinded to talk through. Most manuals will describe it pretty well - if you haven't got one for your bike you can grab one for free of Cliff's site:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

[frankp1209]

i have the same exact problem with my 1981 gs 750 e all stock? any solution yet???

[SDBuckeye]

any ideas yet?

Hi,
I have experienced the same issue twice this week. The first time the bike was warmed up and driven about 10 blocks. After it cooled down it started up. Today on my ride it was fully warmed up when I stopped to buy something. When I came back it wouldn't turn over. After several attempts it finally turned over enough to get going. When it is cold it starts like a champ.

Cheers,
Lyle

[1_v8_merc]

Yep, same problem on my 82 650!!!

I think you have to pull the carbs off, because I really can't get to the two main bolts to pop the starter motor out.
(i mean, maybe you could get to them, but it'd be a major pain.)

-----
My bike acts like it's seizing up in the heat, or like the motor wont turn over....

I have a brand new battery, 12.6-13 volts.
Brand new starter solenoid.
Cleaned the starter switch twice.
Cleaned the entire wiring harness.

The starter is basically the only thing left!!!

And this problem is REALLY starting to **** me off!

[nevillebrown]

Have had same problem.Believe it 's because starter is hot and draws to much amps.Eliminated problem by taking off the the cover above the starter.Believe this cools down the starter quicker.

[DanTheMan]

If you have any fuel leakage past the float valves, it can cause a hydraulic lock in the cylinders, causing all the same problems you're describing. It's essentially a flooded condition and opening the throttle in that instance will help though it will still be hard to start. I have pulled a couple of plugs, unhooked the petcock vacuum line, turned it over with the starter, put the plugs back in and the vacuum line back on and it started fine. It always will happen in extremely hot humid weather if there's any leakage on the float valves due to fuel expansion, the latent heat from the engine causes the fuel to expand very quickly.