Starter motor - Chinese 125 (Honda XL copy)

[Bikermice]

Hi all,

My starter motor has packed up I think - when i push the start button there is just a buzzing sound but doesn't turn over. Are they (starter motors in general) worth taking apart to see if anything has seized? I'm told to check the brushes but surely if it were brushes then it would still turn a bit?

thanks

[billybillany]

What bike is it you have?

[Rogerborg]

Don't guess, diagnose. Your first purchase with any Chinese branded bike should be a multimeter.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Vincent]

When the brushes are worn out, the starter just won't move and the solenoid usually "clicks". Are you sure the battery is OK? Check the battery earth and the starter solenoid before stripping the motor. The brushes should last a long time, they're usually only a problem on high mileage bikes.
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Space Is Deep

[i.p.phrealy]

engine and ignition off, put it in second, rock the bike back and forth a bit. hit Neutral, ignition on and try the switch. sometimes they do stick a bit and this may free it off, otherwise you're kicking/bump starting it for a bit.
____________________
it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[Walloper]

[Bikermice]

Thanks guys - found a different set of faults so thought I should re-post. It's weird. When engine is running, all electrics work fine (indicators, lights, horn, neutral light). However, when engine is off it all goes cock shit. When I turn on indicators, the neutral light flashes but no indicators work, neither do lights. When I push the start button I hear a loud click and then I lose the neutral light completely, or sometimes it dims but no other electrics work. The electric start of course is the only thing that I'm concerned about when the engine isn't running. I've wiggled and checked all the connectors/fuses but doesn't seem to make a difference. It's going in for MOT tomorrow so I may just ask them to give me a quote for fixing the electrics. Don't want to spend too much as the bike is only worth £7.53 but would rather get it sorted than pay £1500 for a new bike!

BTW it's a (Chinese) Superbyke RF-X125 (Honda XL copy), only done 1200 miles so really disappointed in the quality, even though I got it for free! Engine is sound though. Also this is just a cheap commuter so I know it's not going to be Japanese quality but just need it to get to work and back.

Thanks for all your advice, first time I'm going to the MOT place so not sure how helpful they'll be. With my car I had all sorts of different consumer experiences so I'm hoping this place will be kind to me!

[Bikermice]