Dead Bike!?

[Louise]

I was told that the starter motor sounded like it was on its way out 2 months ago by a mate.
Past few days its completly dead when I push the start button, but then would work after a few trys (dead, no spark,click nothing)
Tonight I couldnt get it home, no joy at all.
So, I guess the S/motor has gone. Can I buy a new one? Easy to fix?
Its a Cagiva Supercity. Eletric start only and im selling it in a few days
Advice?

Louise

[Paddy Blake]

It should only be the bushes in the starter and once you have the starter
out bring to a place that will renew them.It should cost less than £15.

Paddy.

[finpos]

Important facts:

1. Starter motors very rarely fail. In the entire life of the bike, they only actually run for a couple of hundred hours, which is well within their expected life.

2. Batteries fail quite frequently. You can expect to replace them every couple of years, and they usually fail in the early winter when the odds are stacked against them.

3. A bust battery and a bust starter motor are very difficult to tell apart.

So, try to start the bike off a car battery with jump leads before taking anything apart .

finpos.

[Louise]

Will replace the Batt in the morning to see.
If not ill pop it in to the garage. Couldnt come at a worse time - I just sold it

[Kiss_My_Rs]

You can always bump start it if you need to get it home or to a garage.

I take it you know how to bumpstart it?
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[Paddy Blake]

Sit on the bike and put it in second gear with the clutch out push it back
until the engine turns and try the button.It sometimes works and keep
you going for days or weeks.

Paddy.

[Louise]

Yea bump started it to get it home.
The charger deffo said the battery was dead so touch wood.

[Louise]

Well, it now works. Battery is fully charged.
But it still sounds really rough on the starter motor.
As long as it holds out till Saturday its ok.

[cagiva gezzer]

[befdelta7]

i had the same problem with my supercity a couple of weeks ago!
what cagiva geezer said:

[befdelta7]

also forgot to mention my starter cog is a bit chewed up only slightly at the end of the cog teeth.
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[Paddy Blake]

Was the battery flat from you trying to start the bike or did something
else cause it to go flat.

Paddy.

[Louise]

Well I used the bike almost every day so I couldnt see why it would of been flat so quick.
Only thing I can think off is if I left a parking light on. Done it before but was ok the next day.

[Louise]

Well it went again tonight. Gave it a quick start to see if it worked. Switched it off, to go get ready ect. Came back, and nothing.
Tryed to bump start it, but when it gear the bike just wouldnt budge an inch.
Got some time off in the day tommorow, got some intructions on how to check the S/motor. If not, garage just round the corner.

[Kiss_My_Rs]

Regulator gone? Would explain the battery not charging or even a dud battery?
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[Davo]

Louise

Have you got access to a multimeter? If so, get the bike started and check the voltage across the terminals at idle & when the bike is being revved.

If you need a hand I can pop across on Friday/Saturday as I'm down your way then (or if you can get the bike across to Cowplain). If needs be I can lend you my optimate charger as well to see if we can save the battery.

[Louise]

Right I went out, took the s/motor off. Gave it a clean, put it back together and I now have a 'click' then i press the button.
Lights dont dim went I press the button so cant see it being the batt. I have just charged it.

[finpos]

See cagiva gezzer's post above - if you're sure the battery is ok, then the starter relay is the next place to look. They sometimes get a bit buggered as consequence of a flat battery.

A multimeter or at least a test lamp would really help here...

finpos.

[Louise]

Where can I find the relay? I hear the clicking comming from the front but I just cant get any fairing off due to the indicators.
I think thats the problem now.

[finpos]

The relay is the thing that is clicking!

Either follow the noise, or follow the very thick wire that comes from your battery +ve terminal. The relay is the first thing this wire connects to.

At the risk of becoming boring... Make sure the battery is ok before taking anything apart

To see if it's working or not, you'll need either a multimeter or a big screwdriver and a very gung-ho attitude.

finpos.

[Louise]

Repair man is picking it up tommorow. Ive had a play, and ive had enough

[Kiss_My_Rs]

Keep us informed of what the problem was
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[Louise]

Well, repaire man still hasnt picked the dam thing up. Ive been cleaning up the Relay and not the motor
So, as its a nice day I will attempt to take off the Motor altho its quite hard to get to the bolts.
Will let your know

[Louise]

OK I jsut spent over an hour cleaning up conenctors ect. Got the starter motor off and the brushes (copper wire???) were in good order, clean and the silver like plates? all pushed into the same level. Forgive me, im not good at explaining stuff.

[finpos]

Hi Louise,

I'm admiring your have-a-go attitude, but, really, if you want to fix this yourself, a multimeter out of the pound shop and 20 minutes learning how to use it will be time well spent

By the way, I've no idea from your description what you've just taken off and cleaned .

finpos.