Ebay starter motors

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Jonesz
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Ebay starter motors

#1

Post by Jonesz »

So my 83 Aspy is having start problems. Long story short is that I have tried a friends gl1100 starter and it works GR8 in my bike. Have cleaned my starter, reassembled and no joy so it looks like armature, winding, bushing problems. I recall reading posts (can't seem to find them now) where others have bought a new motor off Ebay and had problems but am wondering if anyone on here has purchased a new (cheaper) starter motor or found a rebuilder and had good success. I would way rather pay a 100 bux than almost triple that if I could get away with that. The Cdn $ and shipping adds to my cost quite a bit. Any advice appreciated.
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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Jonesz
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#2

Post by Jonesz »

Now that I have posted can see several older threads at the bottom of the page. Any newer info would still be appreciated.
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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tlbranth
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#3

Post by tlbranth »

I think I'd opt for a used OEM starter over a new Chinese one.
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sphen
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#4

Post by sphen »

If there is a competent rebuilder in your area, that would be my go-to route over an aftermarket uncertainty
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

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Jonesz
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#5

Post by Jonesz »

tlbranth wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:30 pm I think I'd opt for a used OEM starter over a new Chinese one.
Yep I am in agreement but it seems that the sellers now know that too so am looking at around $175 Cdn for a good used one taking exchange and shipping into consideration.
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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Jonesz
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#6

Post by Jonesz »

sphen wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:53 pm If there is a competent rebuilder in your area, that would be my go-to route over an aftermarket uncertainty
Have been looking for a good rebuilder but no luck so far. Thanx
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#7

Post by redglbx »

Ricks Motorsports has them brand new for $220, he advertises them as having twice the power of the Honda unit. Never had a problem with anything from Rick, quality stuff.

That said the last one I had trouble with was a 85 650 nighthawk that I took to a local rebuilder, thinking it was $165 but not sure of that. It worked great And performed as new.
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#8

Post by Shadowjack »

I bought a couple of new Ebay starters for 1200s. The 84 fit and worked great, the 85 had to have the front mount hole slotted but works great. But not very much use yet.
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Jonesz
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#9

Post by Jonesz »

redglbx wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:16 pm Ricks Motorsports has them brand new for $220, he advertises them as having twice the power of the Honda unit. Never had a problem with anything from Rick, quality stuff.

That said the last one I had trouble with was a 85 650 nighthawk that I took to a local rebuilder, thinking it was $165 but not sure of that. It worked great And performed as new.
Thanx for that, trouble is $220 works out to $297 CDN then add in freight and duty brings things up to almost $350. I may sell this bike in the spring and don't really want to fork out that kind of dough! Still looking for a good rebuilder.

And thanx Shadowjack for your input on the knockoffs
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#10

Post by Track T 2411 »

You might contact 'ritalz' IIRC, he dealt with an Ebay starter recently...
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Tbell
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#11

Post by Tbell »

The problem with the Chinaman starters is the planetary gears are brittle and tend to break. If you go that route exchange the gears from your old starter to the new. I have done this with 2 starters in the past for other people..
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#12

Post by Explorer »

I had my 1100 model's starter rebuilt at stockersstarters.com about 10 years ago now and has been flawless. So muck so, that on this rebuild, I didn't even mess with it, I just bolted it to the newer motor with a new O ring.
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#13

Post by Jonesz »

Explorer wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:44 pm I had my 1100 model's starter rebuilt at stockersstarters.com about 10 years ago now and has been flawless. So muck so, that on this rebuild, I didn't even mess with it, I just bolted it to the newer motor with a new O ring.
We were on a group ride today and two of the riders gave me the thumbs up on a rebuilder in the city about 30 miles from me. I am going to take my starter to them and see what they recommend/say they can or can't do. Have decided that a rebuilt oem would be a real nice solution to my problem.
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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rjdoles
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#14

Post by rjdoles »

I have bought a lot of stuff on Ebay that I have been happy with and some things that were a disappointment.

I recently did a search for an ignition coil for my 77 GL1000. I came to a website where it prompted you to enter the year, make and model of the bike. It came up with their part number for a coil and I ordered it.

When it arrived I discovered that the mounting hole spacing was different so I had to make a mounting bracket. The primary wire colors were different and the male and female bullet connectors on the primary wires were backwards so I had to cut the wires off my old coil and solder and shrink wrap them to the new coil. The resistance of the primary was 4.3 ohms not 3 ohms like the original so I wasn't sure how it might work. The plug wire diameter was 6mm not 7mm like the original so all the boots fit loosely on the wires and wouldn't keep water out. If I wasn't in a hurry to get the bike running I would probably have just sent it back. Imagine what I would have gotten if I didn't give them the year, make and model of the bike.

What I got was a universal coil that would require work to be adapted to my bike. To me, universal means it doesn't fit anything. I think that this company had one coil that they claim would fit any motorcycle that has two spark plug wires molded into one coil.

This winter I will just go to a reputable site like Randakks, pay a little more and get a DynaTek coil that is actually a direct replacement and replace my replacement. I tried to save money and it didn't work in this instance.

In the case of your starter motor what usually goes is the carbon brushes. Don't know whether you can just buy brushes and if you would want to tackle a rebuild yourself or not.
Started with an Allstate stooter made by Cushman and then a series of Honda motorcycles. 305 SuperHawk, CB750, VT600DC, VT750CD and then 4 years ago I left motorcycles for scooters with an Elite 125, Reflex 250 and Silverwing 600. Most recent is a barn find 77 GL1000 that I plan to resurect.
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Jonesz
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Re: Ebay starter motors

#15

Post by Jonesz »

rjdoles wrote: Thu Oct 01, 2020 7:33 am I have bought a lot of stuff on Ebay that I have been happy with and some things that were a disappointment.

In the case of your starter motor what usually goes is the carbon brushes. Don't know whether you can just buy brushes and if you would want to tackle a rebuild yourself or not.
Yep I plan to get new brushes to have in hand when I visit the rebuilder. When I had then starter apart to clean out the carbon debris the existing brushes did "look" ok and had lots of length over the minimum 5.5mm left. But that being said new brushes can't hurt while they have the starter apart. Hope to get to the city soon and see them about my starter. Won't need the bike from now till next spring. Frost this AM!
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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