1981 GS650L - starter problem

[Anonymous]

Okay folks...need your help! Trying to start the bike and a puff of smoke (small amt.) came out of starter cover. Now all bike does when you hit the start switch is click. Bike can be push started. Battery checks out fine. Do you think the starter has gone bad? or is it something a little less expensive? Any help will be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

You let out the magic smoke! Don't keep hitting the starter button or you risk doing more damage.

1. Disconnect your battery (unless you really want to risk it)
2. Open the starter cover and check everything out. If it wasn't a wire near the starter, then it was the starter itself. Of course, you don't know until you check.

I'm not sure how you check out a starter motor itself, but you should probably disconnect it, protect the leads that were on it (so they don't short each other, and replace it.

Anybody know if the starter motor is compatible between years and models? You can probably find one on a parts bike. I am pretty sure there are some 650s being parted out on eBay so check it out.

And best of luck.

Michael

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, don't peck on it with a hammer like some people do on an automobile starter. You will bust the magnets off the inside of the outer case. Check with a local automotive starter & alternator rebuild shop. Many of them will have the parts & repair bike starters

[argonsagas]

Smoke from electrical motors is never a good sign. It usually means something is being subjected to an excessive load, and there is damage. The question is, will the damage be minimal or terminal?

Remove the starter from the bike and, using separate wires, connect one wire to the battery, then touch the other terminal wire to see if it spins over.

If it works OK, you may have a faulty relay. If it does nothing, or if it gets hot and/or smokes, you have discovered your problem. You need another starter.

[Anonymous]

Remove the starter from the bike and, using separate wires, connect one wire to the battery, then touch the other terminal wire to see if it spins over

Be sure to use big, fat braided wires like just using straight jumper cables. Small wires might get really hot in a real hurry!

Michael