Yamaha Diversion 900 - not starting - starter motor?

[jimster]

Hi all,

I have a newly acquired 1995 Yamaha Diversion 900 that is not starting. The lights and electrics all seem to be OK, and the battery is new and charged (showing 12.6v and dropping to only 12,4v when attempting to crank the engine). When I turn the ignition I hear a single click - which I assume is from the solenoid - but nothing else. The oil and fuel lights turn on while the ignition is pressed and then turn off once released. The neutral light is on, and I am pulling the clutch handle in.

Today, I took the starter motor off and disassembled it and cleaned it all up - there was a lot of gunk on the actuators which I cleaned off with some fine sandpaper (taking care not to scratch the copper) and put it back on. I was pretty convinced this would be the issue, so I was quite disappointed that the bike didn't roar back into life.

The bike has apparently sat for a couple of years with minimal use, so perhaps something else has gunked up.


I haven't tried bump starting the bike yet (it's on a trailer) and I haven't tried connecting 12v direct to the starter motor to see what happens, or to see if I can jump start the bike. I will try these tomorrow if I can get hold of some jump cables.

I also haven't checked whether the engine spins - not sure how to do this.

Any tips / hints / am I on the right lines? Thanks all!!
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Current: Yamaha Diversion XJ900
Previous: Yamaha Diversion 600cc, Piaggio Zip 50cc, Honda CG125-W, Siamoto Caddy 50cc moped

[Nobby the Bastard]

There is a third potential issue, the solenoid. This is what makes the clicking noise you can hear when you try and start it.

Its traditionally right by the battery and to bypass it connect a screwdriver a cross the two fat connectors (on the solenoid, not the battery)

To turn the engine over manually, put it on the centre stand and select 6th gear. It's now easy to turn the engine over using the rear wheel. If you cannot move the wheel at all the engine is seized.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[weasley]

Is the kill switch on? If yes, is the kill switch and its wiring OK?
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[jaffa90]

Only dropping .2 of a volt when pressing the start button means that the starter motor is doing nowt.
As mentioned bypass the starter relay switch.

[jeffyjeff]

[jimster]

Hi all,

Quick update - I have now verified that there is 12v going into the starter motor when the ignition is pressed and the starter motor doesn't move. The starter motor also doesn't move even when off the bike with 12v across it, so I think it's not a seized engine or a broken starter relay or a fuel problem - there must be a fault with the starter motor itself. So I think I need to take it apart again and check that I haven't messed something up and give it a further clean, then keep testing it until it does something. I also want to go pick up some electrical contact cleaner and some crocus cloth for some further cleaning out. I may also just order a new starter motor!
I haven't had the time to get the bike off the trailer to see if I can bump start it, since it is extremely well strapped down on the trailer, and very heavy (260kg with fuel...) so I'm a bit nervous about unloading by myself. So I will probably wait until I have got the starter motor sorted before trying this.
Thanks for the help & tips!
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Current: Yamaha Diversion XJ900
Previous: Yamaha Diversion 600cc, Piaggio Zip 50cc, Honda CG125-W, Siamoto Caddy 50cc moped

[Bhud]

A starter motor repair kit should sort it out. I had similar issues with my 600 Diversion. There was very little carbon left on the brushes.

[jeffyjeff]

[jimster]

The good news is the bike is running again after I took the starter motor off and gave it a further clean (with extremely fine wet sandpaper and electrical contact spray). Wahey!

I now just need to convert the bike for use in the UK (it's a Dutch registered bike at present). Easy part of this is changing the headlights, hard part is converting the speedo from km/hr to mp/hr as it doesn't (unfortunately!) have a dual speedo. Any suggestions for how to do this to pass the MOT? I'd love to just prise the speedo cover off and put a UK calibrated sticker over the existing numbers - but I'm not sure the gauge is easy to get to nor do I know where to order a suitable sticker. The headlight is apparently moved by adjusting some screws, so that should only take a few minutes.
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Current: Yamaha Diversion XJ900
Previous: Yamaha Diversion 600cc, Piaggio Zip 50cc, Honda CG125-W, Siamoto Caddy 50cc moped

[jaffa90]

"""Easy part of this is changing the headlights,""
"""The headlight is apparently moved by adjusting some screws, so that should only take a few minutes.""


If the dipped headlight is up swept to the right, how can it be lowered enough?
You should be able to get an overlay sticker for the speedo and another sticker for the dipped beam.
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=331139

[sickpup]

[Nobby the Bastard]