Any tips you guys have for making this process fairly painless? Anything I need to be particularly careful about?
It's an '05 s2r and i've been getting an intermittent "click" and no start when I hit the button. Gauges always sweep like normal and fuel pump "whirs". Battery is less than 2 years old and is always kept on a tender when the bike is parked for the night. I have cleaned and checked the connections at the solenoid and checked the battery terminals. I called Joe at Trebour Motorcycles (my local Duc shop) and from my description, he said it sounded like the starter was going bad.
thanks in advance
The only thing to be careful of would be to ensure the battery is disconnected (of course) during replacement... If what you are getting is an intermittent click, I would double check the solenoid and cables before dumping the money on the starter...
On another note, check the alternatives list for replacements as it could save you some money...
Quote from: elgallo73 on March 17, 2012, 06:46:22 PM
The only thing to be careful of would be to ensure the battery is disconnected (of course) during replacement... If what you are getting is an intermittent click, I would double check the solenoid and cables before dumping the money on the starter...
On another note, check the alternatives list for replacements as it could save you some money...
Yep. When you get the click either bypass the solenoid or go directly from battery to starter. If it now cranks the starter is good. If bypassing the solenoid doesn't work but going directly to the starter does you probably have a bad connection at the starter. Careful disconnecting the cable to clean, the lug on the starter if fragile. Also, do check the engine ground. This means disassemble and clean.
Thanks for the tips. I'll recheck my connections and perform the bypass routine and report back. I was going to use Stockers website if I indeed need a new starter ($109.95).
>> Careful disconnecting the cable to clean, the lug on the starter if fragile.
As Howie says, be careful. There's a nut holding the lug to the starter, and another holding the cable to the lug. DON'T allow the inner nut to turn when undoing the outer one or it's deep doo doo. I had a ground-down spanner from old day, probly made for a bicycle repair, you will have to make something similar.
Dunno about your model but I've heard the alternator cover has to come off to remove the starter on mine. Are you ready for that ?
Quote from: WTSDS on March 18, 2012, 06:01:37 AM
>> Careful disconnecting the cable to clean, the lug on the starter if fragile.
As Howie says, be careful. There's a nut holding the lug to the starter, and another holding the cable to the lug. DON'T allow the inner nut to turn when undoing the outer one or it's deep doo doo. I had a ground-down spanner from old day, probly made for a bicycle repair, you will have to make something similar.
Dunno about your model but I've heard the alternator cover has to come off to remove the starter on mine. Are you ready for that ?
Yep the cover has to come off to gain access to one screw, as does the slave (leave the hydraulic line connected) to get the cover off. A steering wheel puller will be helpful when removing the side cover. Also, keep track of the fasteners. Some are longer than others. You will also need to remove the starter driven gear. You might want to invest in a manual before doing this job.
This almost attempted project seems to be getting too complex before i even start. I will prob. just call my local shop and ask for a quote on the labor if and when I am able determine i def. need a new starter.
Thanks for all of the replies.
Quote from: rockaduc on March 18, 2012, 09:37:17 AM
This almost attempted project seems to be getting too complex before i even start. I will prob. just call my local shop and ask for a quote on the labor if and when I am able determine i def. need a new starter.
Thanks for all of the replies.
It sound worse than it is. There is also nothing wrong with giving the work to a shop, it took me most of my life to figure that out. If you take the bike to a shop let them confirm the diagnosis.
Quote from: howie on March 18, 2012, 08:14:19 AM
~~~SNIP~~~
You will also need to remove the starter driven gear.
~~~SNIP~~~
You can rotate the gear to get a hole to line up with the bolt you need to take out to get the starter off.
Unless the starter is frozen up....
I've seen a piece of shifter pawl spring that got trapped in the gears.
I've seen a starter driven gear that was galled so bad it wouldn't turn on the post.
Both cases, the starter was fine, but wouldn't turn.
Quote from: Speeddog on March 18, 2012, 10:46:04 AM
You can rotate the gear to get a hole to line up with the bolt you need to take out to get the starter off.
Unless the starter is frozen up....
<snip>
Doh! Yup.
I disassembled and cleaned the engine ground (it wasn't munged at all, but i hit it w/ an old toothbrush anyway), put back together and then proceeded to start it a few times w/ different intervals of rest. Problem solved? TIme will tell. If it happens again it's going in. Thanks for the help again. I will post back up after I have had it out a few times and can really tell if the issue is resolved.
Quote from: Speeddog on March 18, 2012, 10:46:04 AM
You can rotate the gear to get a hole to line up with the bolt you need to take out to get the starter off.
On a '05 S2R 800?? Can you please tell me what hole you're talking about?
Quote from: jmoth79 on December 20, 2012, 06:09:06 AM
On a '05 S2R 800?? Can you please tell me what hole you're talking about?
It's the gear on the right in this picture, you can see one hole in it.
There are 4 holes, at least one of them will allow access to the bolt.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4602014577_9a362c6200_o.jpg)
<edit> Link fixed. :P
Also of note (should this thread be searched for later):
Water runs down the starter cable and collects in the little rubber boot @ the starter terminal.
Corrosion ensues.
Easy to check, just pull back the rubber boot and give it a visual.
Quote from: Speeddog on December 20, 2012, 09:01:26 AM
It's the gear on the right in this picture, you can see one hole in it.
There are 4 holes, at least one of them will allow access to the bolt.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4602014577_9a362c6200_o.jpg)
cleaned up linky...