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Starter Repair
After I finished the stereo I went ahead and cleaned and put new brushes in the starter. The blasted thing has been a on and off thing for a few months now and I figured it was a good time to fix it while I was fixing everything else. After I shook everything I could out of it I blew it clean with an air hose and cleaned the armature contacts with 600 grit automotive sandpaper. Works great after a good cleaning and the new brushes.

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vern38 AKA Squirrelly
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#1 11-03-2013, 07:20 PM,
My riding buddy just finished having a new starter installed in his 86 GL1200 last week and his bike has low miles...makes me wonder if he could have done the same thing. I've read several times now cleaning the dirt, new brushes and some cleaning with emory cloth on the armature are all thats needed some times to bring them back to life. If mine ever goes thats the first thing I'll do before being to quick to open my wallet and order a new one. Thanks once again for all the great photos Cool
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#2 11-03-2013, 10:54 PM,
(11-03-2013, 10:54 PM)sparky65 Wrote: My riding buddy just finished having a new starter installed in his 86 GL1200 last week and his bike has low miles...makes me wonder if he could have done the same thing. I've read several times now cleaning the dirt, new brushes and some cleaning with emery cloth on the armature are all that's needed some times to bring them back to life. If mine ever goes that's the first thing I'll do before being to quick to open my wallet and order a new one. Thanks once again for all the great photos Cool

Cost of repair was $12.50 and my time of course. That beats $128.00 plus the cost of labor to put it in. Smile
vern38 AKA Squirrelly
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#3 11-04-2013, 06:21 AM,
If the starter works good when the engine is cold, but struggles when it's hot, take a close look at your cables. After 30+years, the cables can develop internal corrosion which increases resistance and decreases the amperage going to the starter. Peel back the insulation on the ends of the cables for an inch or so. If grey, green, or black particles are present, replace the cable. #5 multiple strand copper wire with copper lugs works well. I use di-electric grease and heat-shrink on the ends to lessen the chances of new corrosion.

If your buddy still has the old starter, grab it and take it apart to see how bad it actually was. Used rebuildable starters easily run over $50 on EBay.
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#4 11-04-2013, 06:25 AM,
there was also a thread on here with a suggestion for getting a better ground through the starter while the starter was apart.
as far as working fine when the engine is cold, and struggling when hot, other culprits could be a buildup of carbon dust and/or low/no/or old, solid grease in the reduction gears. (for those of you who HAVEN'T serviced your starter).
if you are out and about and the starter will not spin the engine fast enough to allow it to start, (and you know absolutely certain it is NOT the battery) try opening the throttle wide open, then hit the starter button and the engine may light up.
this was a work-around for me until I was able to service my starter.
enjoying the view from the saddle....... due mainly to the people and information found within this site
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#5 11-05-2013, 12:42 PM,


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