Hot Engine = Weak Starter?

Took my bike on my first real bike trip. The starter spinned ok when I fired up the bike for the first time on that day.

In middle of nowhere 15 miles from the nearest town, I stalled the engine and tried restart it. The starter didn't spin very quick, but slowly.

I know that the altenator is charging the battery because at cruise the indicator shows 14 or so volts. However, when turning the starter over with the engine dead, the volts shows 10 volts.

I was fortunately enough to be on a hill so on my second attempt at popping the clutch as I rolled down, the engine fired up and I was able to get back home.

What do you think? The brushes on the starter still have 2 mm to go before they hit the minimum of 5 mm.

Thanks!

 

You probably need a battery.

Since the Alternator Brushes are so easy to check ... take a peek and measure them.

 

I've got the same problem. Already been through the Alternator checklist including new battery, check resistance, check brushes, clean rotor. No improvement. I'm gonna look at the starter next, I hope this weekend. Will let you know.

Dan Timmons

 

Nah, not the battery. When the bike cools down enough, it starts up fine. The starter spins fast enough.

But after a few minutes of riding at high speed, the engine gets hot. If I happen to kill the engine and try to restart, the starter hestiates to turn.

I tapped on the starter housing, that made it better so I guess the brushes are getting too short or sticky.

Will replace the brushes and post here again if the problem goes away.

NOT overly concerned because I can start the bike by running while staddled on it and popping the clutch. Works nearly every time.

Appreciate all your input.

 

Oh, by the way, checked the alternator brushes, still ok. But ordered new brushes (for both alternator and starter) anyway to save on shipment from Z1 Enterprise.

 

**UPDATE**

It wasn't the alternator nor battery.

Even with all 4 brushes at 7mm (2mm above minimum of 5mm), they weren't enough.

Since I had to wait until the labor weekend to pick up the new brush set, I was worrying that it might be the starter clutch but it wasn't.

Now the bike fires up EVERY time I press the starter.

NO MORE bump starting the bike, it was getting embarrassing pushing the bike to a highest point of street and run-staddle it downhill, popping the clutch as I go.

So... If your starter hestiates to spin, especially when it's hot, it might be dirty brushes or they're getting too short, even if it starts once in every while.

Happy ending here...

 

Forgot one more thing...

I meant to explain a bit about installing the new set in the starter.

The aftermarket brush set from Z1 Enterprise has a slightly different arrangment compared to the original.

On the original, the brushes are installed from outside the diameter with springs pushing on it. On the replacement, the brushes have to be installed from inner ends. I knew this would make the installment awkward so I went ahead and pulled the ends of springs out each individual box and set them aside, with the spring end resting against the side of box (4 boxes/springs for 4 brushes).

Install the brushes and slide the core through then move and pop each spring back behind each brush.

The new set comes with two rubber seals for both ends of starter. That's a good thing since the original were stretched out.