maxim xj starter help

85 Maxim X, The starter barley turns motor or fails to turn over at all when the bike has been riden a few miles..Battery is new. It will start when the motor is cold, although the starter seems to turn slower than it did previously..I have read the post on testing the starter circuit, but I am not good with a test meter..Would appreciate any thoughts on what i might need to replace first..thanks Don T

 

I know in my experience with cars, symptoms like failing to operate once hot usually means a part on its last legs. I think the starters in these bikes can be rebuilt though instead of flat out replaced? I'm sure someone else can chime in on that point.

 

The starters are quite easy to pull out and look at. Of course have a nice clean flat area where you can place everything you take apart. This allows you to set everything out in front of you to inspect clean and lube back up. It also allows you to make sure you have it all in the same order you took it out in for ease of putting it back together. I have been told you can rebuild them but I have not had to yet, mine needed a good cleaning.

 

definately the first thing you should do is clean out the starter motor, this is quick and easy and if it solves your problem then great.
If this turns out to not be the culprit the next thing I would recommend checking is the starter switch itself (the button you push when starting) as the contacts and wires in this may need to be cleaned and replaced. Both of these I have had to do on my bike and just cleaning them makes a world of difference.

 

I know for sure you can pick up a rebuild kit for these.It's an easy job, and shows how the system works. But before I'd pull the starter, I would definitely check starter draw and that would give you a good indication of what is going on inside. You just need to hook up your amp clamp to the starter B+ cable, Disconnect the ignition (so she won't start and run), then crank and read results on the meter. As for voltage / amperage specs, can someone help out here? If not i'll see what I can find for ya....