Ducati Monster Forum

Ive got an 01 m900sie that im pretty sure has a bad starter motor.  The battery tested great and the solenoid is clicking when i try to start and there is voltage running across the solenoid to the starter.  Only thing that puzzles me is that when i hook a battery charger to the bike, it usually will start but from reading some other posts it seems this still does not rule out a bad starter.

So Id like to try to rebuild the starter myself or get an old one off of ebay.  I found a link to this website  http://www.stockers.com/NEWSS13.htm (http://www.stockers.com/NEWSS13.htm)      but im not sure what all I will need to rebuild the starter.  Just the brush plate and brushes?

Im also looking to slip a nichols flywheel in while i have the alternator cover off.   Any suggestions on other wearable parts within the alternator cover side that I should replace as well?     thanks for your help!!

Ducati starters are pretty reliable.

I wonder if you have a bad connection somewhere that the charger overcomes.

Did you load tes the battery?  If you just checked voltage the battery could still be toast.

If you ARE going to replace your starter heres some tips.

Dont bother not trying to remove the side cover. Its a lot easier if you just did.

When you open your starter, do yourself a favor and get a marker, and draw an X on one side that goes from the body onto the end cap, and a straight line opposite side of that so you know which way you have to put the starter back on. (it really only fits one way, but if you do this, you wont need to sit and figure out what that way is (if that makes sense))

Before you go and buy the brush kits, pull your starter and open it up. Take a look at it. Smell the armature  and take a good look at the wiring. If the armature looks burnt up, youll need a complete rebuild. If the brushes are worn down then you can simply purchase the brushes from that website (thats where i got them from) and install them, simple job. If your plate looks chewed up then you'll need the whole brush plate kit.

Alternatively, you can go on ebay and pick up a used one for about half the cost of a freshly rebuilt one. These starters rarely die (i think mine went 40,000 miles before it croaked) Another thing to look at would be your plugs. when you try to start does it just cycle the engine and not start? Do the plugs look wet on idle? It may be running rich and fouling plugs. Or maybe your coils are gone? not sure, but they are all good things to look at.

The problem is geeting your hands on the brushes. I had reasonable trouble because the +tive brush is a post, brush, wire, and terminal all in one. Hard to find as its not a Ducati spare. Removing and rebuilding the starter isn't overly difficult, nor is it time consuming. Just finding those brushed, Ducati here in Aus had no spares & I ended up getting mine from a motor rewinding specialist (phone book calls).
 As for chaging anything else. You could put in a new Sprag (starter clutch, but thats about it) on that side. It goes on the back of the flywheel. The nut that holds the flywheel on, is on TIGHT! It needs to back on tight, be carefull there. It needs a 30mm ring-end spanner. I like to drain fluids, put bike on rear stand, roll rear wheel and put bike in 6th, cable tie front and rear brake (really well) to make undoing the nut easy. Plus putting it back on.
 Best to you. - Chris

the starter brushes are available from ducati. you may need a parts person who can read a microfiche to find the number. I have rebuilt plenty with ducati brush kits.

Mine shit the nest at 1.5k miles.  Kinda on the rare side I suppose since I don't hear of them doing that much.

Let us know what the issue is lowd.

Must be an Australia thing. Couldn't get brushes from our importer (ie Ducati themselves don't sell here in Aus, its all done through a private/endorsed/sole importer) - Chrsi

you dont need a OEM brushes.

http://www.stockers.com/NEWSS13.htm

these fit fine

thanks for all the replies!!   Yea i checked all the connections to the starter and the starter is getting voltage.   Ill try to order the nichols flywheel tonight so I can have the bike up and going next weekend.  Should I just order the bushes or should i get a whole kit from http://www.stockers.com/NEWSS13.htm (http://www.stockers.com/NEWSS13.htm)  ????     thanks  jeff

It takes about 30 mins to get the starter out. Do that first, then judge what you need. Chances are you just need the brushes though.

Before condemning the starter check for corrosion where the cable from the solenoid bolts to the starter.  Be careful, the lug on the starter is delicate.