how do you break a starter motor

lurer · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Karma :

i just ordered a new starter motor as mine isnt working but i was just wondering if they muck up over time or is it caused by something ?
cheers
____________________
red and carbon fibre peugeot speedfight 50cc

finpos · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Karma :

Almost impossible to break. They only run for a few hours over the life of an engine, it's not like they get a lot of use! All the stuff that usually knackers electric motors - worn brushes, commutators, bearings etc. never really gets a chance to happen.

Sometimes on post-engaged starters (like on most bikes) the gear mechanism on the end breaks, the motor itself usually still works.

f.

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

I've had to relace the brushes a couple of times. I suspect that most worn out starters are off a bike that wouldn't start for some reason and rather than try to find the problem or bump it, the owner has stood for ages with his/her finger on the starter button so they've had heavy use over a short period of time.
____________________
Space Is Deep

lurer · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Karma :

what so you are saying it might not even be the starter motor that is buggered and that i have brought it for no reason?
the starter motor wasnt spinning anymore
____________________
red and carbon fibre peugeot speedfight 50cc

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

alun111 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2007 Karma :

A point to note: I repaired a starter a few years ago... I thought it was still broken as I tried it without bolting it onto the bike first, and it still didn't work. It turns out that It needed to be earthed by the frame.
____________________
Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70

lurer · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Karma :

Did anyone try it straight on a battery to make sure the problem wasn't with the solonoid or something else like a poor earth? They're not sealed units tho so you can service them. My new brushes were about £8 I think.[/quote]

what do you mean straight on a battery ?
and i dont know hopefully it will be fine and i havent wasted my money Sad

we will see when it gets here
____________________
red and carbon fibre peugeot speedfight 50cc

lurer · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Karma :

Did anyone try it straight on a battery to make sure the problem wasn't with the solonoid or something else like a poor earth? They're not sealed units tho so you can service them. My new brushes were about £8 I think.[/quote]

what do you mean straight on a battery ?
and i dont know hopefully it will be fine and i havent wasted my money Sad

we will see when it gets here and how do you fix the solanoid or a poor earth ?
cheers
____________________
red and carbon fibre peugeot speedfight 50cc

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

The solonoid is a heavy duty switch between the battery and the starter, if it's shagged, you just replace it. A poor earth can be sorted by removing trhe wire that connects the battery earth to the frame or engine and cleaning it up with some emery paper.

A good way to find out if it's the starter motor that has the problem is to briefly connect it straight to a 12V battery to see if it spins or not.
____________________
Space Is Deep

lurer · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Karma :

lurer · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Karma :

i can hear a clicking sound when i try starting my bike and apparently that is the solonoid so does that mean its working ?
sorry to ask so much questions lol
cheers
____________________
red and carbon fibre peugeot speedfight 50cc

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

The clicking is the soleniod pulling-in. That means that the solenoid is getting power but it doesn't mean it's making a connection.

Try this.

Make sure your bike is in neutral. Check it a couple of times Very Happy

Follow the red + lead from the battery - the heavy wire. It will go to a block thing - the solenoid that's clicking. It will be fitted by a bolt connection, and next to that will be another bolt connection and another longer heavy lead that feeds power to the starter. Get a decent sized open-end spanner (an old one) and jamb the spanner jaws across those two bolts so that you're feeding battery power direct to the starter. If the starter turns, your solenoid is shot, if the starter doesn't turn wither the starter is shot or you have a poor connection on the starter lead or on the engine earth.

Watch out because if it does turn the spanner will spark a bit and get hot.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good Very Happy

finpos · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Karma :

Clicking solenoid can also mean you have a good old-fashioned flat/knackered battery.

f.

Kal · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Karma :

I've always found that hitting one repeatedly with a sledgehammer breaks them quite nicely.

The Disapproving Brit · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Karma :

They can get dirty - i.e. covered in carbon so they get a poor connection. I had one like that. Took it apart and brasso'd it until all the copper bits were shiny again. Worked as good as new then.

If you do take it apart, it's vital to make sure all retaining bolts are done up to the same tightness - you'll be able to tell by trying to turn the motor by hand. Feel how much resistance there is before you take it apart - there should be the same amount when it's back together. If one bolt is tighter than the other(s) you won't be able to turn it.
____________________
Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13