1982 Gl1100 : starter sings a fast spinning sound

[backyardtrouble]

I've got a new project to deal with in the shop, and i'm putting this out there for discussion, so we all can enjoy the excitement to determine the cause, the problem, and the solution. A customer brings me his 82 gl1100, he has replaced the starter with a new one. The old one quit working. But in regard to putting the new one on, he said he had to change out the gear sprocket end to make it work, since it was a little smaller. So he took off the sprocket end off the old one and put on the new starter, and it worked several times, but then just starting spinning again and quit working. He also stated that the new sprocket end would not fit the old starter...the spline was not the same.(i hope i did not lose you with all this)...cause i got lost having to remember all this...lol...so here we go...after i get it off...i'll post pics of both starters....any thoughts from anyone that would like to make a suggestions on the real problem.

 

[slabghost]

I hope he brought the old stuff. Sounds to me like the gearing in the new drive head is stripped. You'll need the drive and sproket off the old starter.If I'm right.

 

[Steve83]

Do you know where he got the replacement starter? There are several threads here about Chinese starters having different shaft splines and different sprocket sizes. I would open up his original to see if it could be rebuilt. There are good kits available, and they're inexpensive. I've rebuilt 2 starters with great results, and they looked horrible when I opened them. Post pics of the internals of the original motor.

 

[backyardtrouble]

..Yes..i got the box the new one came in...(discount starter and Alternator) Macon Ga. :swoon: ..
when i get it off and inspect it...i'll post some pics. so we can all see.

 

[dan filipi]

The problem description is sort of vague.

How do you mean spun then stopped?
Stopped meaning the start button didn't do anything anymore?
That could be a button or starter relay problem, or wiring to it.

When it spun, did it 'free wheel' and not turn over the engine?
That could be a starter clutch problem.

 

[backyardtrouble]

That is going to be my best guess to Dan, the starter clutch, if the starter turns out good. There are no problems with the starter button, it just spins that starter like it's not attached to anything in that motor.

 

[slabghost]

By any chance was the oil just recently changed? Wrong oil and start clutch and wet clutch slip bad.

 

[backyardtrouble]

Well, i got the new starter off that the owner had put on, and it had the old drive sprocket on it, thus - the splines were stripped on it, making it slip and spin, another problem i seen was the back mounting bolt bolt was broke off having about a 1/4 inch sticking out of the motor casing, so i might get lucky and get that out.
The new sprocket would not fit the new starter, and the splines were damaged from the owner trying to force it on and since i got it this way, i have no way of knowing if it would have worked or not fresh out of the box new. Now all i need to do is get a good starter with a good sprocket that will slip on easy, cause neither one of these are going to work that i have from the owners stuff.
The old starter being toast , bad splines on the sprocket too, and the new starter has bad splines with the sprocket splines messed up.. :swoon:

 

[slabghost]

Sometimes it sucks to be right or even close. Looks like someone needs yet another starter.

 

[backyardtrouble]

I put another starter on it today, off of my 83 engine and a new sprocket, got the bolt out that was broke off in the block... :heat: ..i'm glad that's over.. It fired right up. I have now stripped it down for the wiring job, since there are 14 miles of wire running all around this bike with all the lights and extras on it.... :shock: ..the customer want's the wiring gone or hidden. It is an eye sore to look at it that way...Gee wizz. So lots to do now...but i'm stopping now for a little comfort... :salute:

 

[Ansimp]

Nothing better than to hear them running :good: , except riding :moped:

 

[slabghost]

Congratulation! Bummer on the wiring work. That stuff gets frustrating at times.

 

[backyardtrouble]

... :head bang: ..I finally got all the extra wiring off the bike and out of the front faring...including the RATS CONDO that was built inside,,, :head bang:..and they must have gotten hungry several times, all chewed up.... :Awe: There was enough wire to re-wire the whole bike, here, there, EVERYWHERE, ..... :rant: ..I really hate seeing a good faring destroyed by so many holes drilled in for something that is not working anyways... oh2: .., Ok....i'm done ranting for a little while... :cheeky:

 

[Steve83]

Progress is being made on Rat's Nest Jr.!

 

[backyardtrouble]

I finally got the rat's nest and the extra wires out of the front faring..... :head bang: ..I am now putting it back together... :beg: ..
i guess i'll have a small supply of extra wires now.. :smilie_happy:

 

[joedrum]

LOL..... :cheeky: :whistling:

 

[Steve83]

Yup, that's usually the way it works!

 

[mcgovern61]

Boy, with all of that copper removed from the bike, it might feel light as a feather! :smilie_happy:

 

[backyardtrouble]

I have lots of extra toggle switches too.... :smilie_happy: , now it's on to the timing belts, shifter seal, and new water pump cover and seals.

 

[backyardtrouble]

I finally got done with his ride too...he was happy, i was really glad....i got all the seals, belts replaced, synced his carbs, lights and switches to work like new again. He called me, said he made it to Georgia...no leaks, ran good, and said if he ever needed anything....I would be working on all his bikes from now on...I hope he remembers, i don't live in Georgia... :whistling: