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jdvorchak
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#16

Post by jdvorchak »

From what I can gather from the description of the starting problem. It is well known that when the starter needs to be removed, cleaned, install new brushes and make sure the brush plate "tabs" are clean and bent slightly. See the shop talk write up Roady did with pictures on how to do this.

Your starter is just old and tired and needs a good cleaning. Afterward it will spin as well as a new starter hot or cold.
New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help:
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Don't fix it 'til it's broke...
The person with the most toys wins!
If it has wheels or a skirt you can't afford it.
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71 CL350 with Bingham side car
2021 HD Triglide
2008 HD Dyna Low Rider
83 KZ1100L1 Son totaled it
83 KZ550LTD Shaft sold

Previous bikes: 84 GL1200 STD, 83 KZ550LTD, 83 CB1000, 78 CB400A, 82 CB900F, 79 CB750K, 2001 GL1800, 2000 Dyna Super Glide, 1972 CB350 K4, 1985 GL1200A, 1997 1200 Sportster, 84 GL1200I, 82 Honda CM400E, 81 Suzuki GS650L, 72 Triumph Bonneville 750, 72 Honda CB350, 66(?) Honda 305 Scrambler, 6? Yamaha yz250, 62 650 Matchless (Norton-Villers).
John
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chewy999
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#17

Post by chewy999 »

jdvorchak wrote: Your starter is just old and tired and needs a good cleaning. Afterward it will spin as well as a new starter hot or cold.
It was new when I started my project, and the bike certainly hasn't done that many miles since I got it running. Saying that, those of you that followed my story will remember the time when it just wouldn't start

http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54238,

so maybe the starter took a hammering while I was trying to start her up. Will certainly check it out.

anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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chewy999
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#18

Post by chewy999 »

As suspected, bike started first time no problem this morning, guess I need to get the starter motor off and have a look inside. Despite being a new item, maybe I over did it when the engine wouldn't start before, and new items can be faulty!

The neutral light is on all the time now, will check the diode first as I put a new switch in this year, but not to good at chasing electrics, (not to good at a lot of things I hear you say).

anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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jdvorchak
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#19

Post by jdvorchak »

More that one guy has ruined a perfectly good starter by cranking on an engine for 15 seconds, or more, at a time multiple times. If it doesn't start in 5 seconds there is a problem. If you just rebuilt the carbs and need to have the pump fill the float bowls, take an extra couple of minutes and remove the spark plugs before cranking and cranking on it.
New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help:
http://ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST


Don't fix it 'til it's broke...
The person with the most toys wins!
If it has wheels or a skirt you can't afford it.
Amateur Radio Station WW9L

71 CL350 with Bingham side car
2021 HD Triglide
2008 HD Dyna Low Rider
83 KZ1100L1 Son totaled it
83 KZ550LTD Shaft sold

Previous bikes: 84 GL1200 STD, 83 KZ550LTD, 83 CB1000, 78 CB400A, 82 CB900F, 79 CB750K, 2001 GL1800, 2000 Dyna Super Glide, 1972 CB350 K4, 1985 GL1200A, 1997 1200 Sportster, 84 GL1200I, 82 Honda CM400E, 81 Suzuki GS650L, 72 Triumph Bonneville 750, 72 Honda CB350, 66(?) Honda 305 Scrambler, 6? Yamaha yz250, 62 650 Matchless (Norton-Villers).
John
Don R
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#20

Post by Don R »

I had a starter dragging from a bad bearing inside. It would on occasion try to start and then not. It happened to be the bearing that our local rebuilder had in stock.
78 GL 1000, 70 CB750 sandcast, 70 CB836 hot rod, 1124cc 750 dragbike resto project.
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
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chewy999
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#21

Post by chewy999 »

Thanks for the replies so far, from what I know ( :shock: ) and what has been suggested I think it is a starter issue so will take it off and have a look inside, but not for a few days as got other stuff to do.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
DUGG
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#22

Post by DUGG »

Remove the cable from the starter and check the nut that holds the battery cable stud on the starter. I had mine loosen up once. Check that all connections to the starter are good, including the bolts that mount it. Make sure that the ground wire from the battery to engine is clean and properly grounded to bare metal.
Don R
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#23

Post by Don R »

The brushes in the starter may be wearing down, dirty and sticky.
78 GL 1000, 70 CB750 sandcast, 70 CB836 hot rod, 1124cc 750 dragbike resto project.
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
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chewy999
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#24

Post by chewy999 »

In the next few days I plan to get the starter off and have a look inside. Will post photos. Also plan to drop the engine enough to get at the (new) neutral switch and check that once and for all, before chasing the wires to see if there's a short, and test the diode in that circuit. Keeps me out of mischief!

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
User avatar
chewy999
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3214
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:21 am
Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK

Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#25

Post by chewy999 »

Forgot to say. Been looking at the circuit diagram and I can see the neutral switch which is on the right hand side of the engine hidden by the frame. It also mentions a 'clutch switch' but I'm not sure what it means by that, what it looks like or where it is! Any ideas? (1980 GL1100)

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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Track T 2411
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#26

Post by Track T 2411 »

I believe the clutch switch is located on the left hand clutch lever. Two wires plug into it, just like the right hand brake light switch.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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kerryb
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#27

Post by kerryb »

I had the same symptoms, final fix after many other tries was to sand the corrosion/paint off the starter mount boss where it bolts to the engine block, clean the block too. No trouble since
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.
'78 cb750K, '83 GL1100s,I,&A,'08FXSTC, '79 WilMac trike
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chewy999
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Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#28

Post by chewy999 »

kerryb wrote:I had the same symptoms, final fix after many other tries was to sand the corrosion/paint off the starter mount boss where it bolts to the engine block, clean the block too. No trouble since
That sounds promising, another thing to try. Many thanks,

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
User avatar
chewy999
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3214
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:21 am
Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK

Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#29

Post by chewy999 »

Track T 2411 wrote:I believe the clutch switch is located on the left hand clutch lever. Two wires plug into it, just like the right hand brake light switch.
Found it! Never noticed it before so obviously didn't realise what it was! lolol

Does anyone know if they are easy to replace if needed, new ones are still available,

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: Just when I thought I'd sorted it.

#30

Post by Track T 2411 »

The switch is easily replaced. There's another recent post regarding how to test it...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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