1999 M750 Won't Start - NOT ANYMORE! RUNNNIINNGGGG

[cyrus buelton]

  I'm not familiar with later models, so can't answer that one. I'm just trying to help cover the bases before you have to remove the starter. It does not come off from the outside you know.

How do you remove this cap?

I have been PMing with Duck-Stew and he gave me the general gist of changing it.

The alternator cover needs to come off, drain oil, etc.


Looks like I might have one of the local club guys help me.

[Duck-Stew]

This is what I PM'd Cyrus w/regard to removing & replacing the starter:

Since you plan on tackling it yourself, here's some pointers/helpers

There's a bolt under the clutch slave that holds down the alternator cover so remove the clutch slave first.

Use a zip-tie to retain the clutch slave piston (providing you haven't upgraded from the stock slave cylinder that is).  If you have upgraded, then don't bother this.

Get a cover puller or borrow one.  It's hard to get them off otherwise.  REALLY hard (while not damaging the cover itself).

Get a piece of cardboard beforehand and mark out a sharpie drawing of the cover's shape punching holes in where there are bolts.  Use this to retain the bolts as there are different lengths in different positions.

You will need to drain the oil.

You will need to rotate the side-stand bracket out of the way so the bike will have to be on a rear-stand for this.  Loosen both bolts for the side-stand/foot rest, and then remove the front one to rotate it out of the way.

Ignition pick-up wires exit the case so no need to mess with those, but your 3-wire connection for the alternator will have to be snaked out of the factory wiring before you get the cover in your hand or you get to hold it up with one hand while trying to find the side-cutters and trying to cut zip-ties.

There are three bolts that hold down the starter to the case.  Only 1 is visible from the outside of the motor.  The other two are below the alternator cover.  One is easily accessable, the other requires rotating a gear to line the hole in the gear up with the bolt so that the bolt can be removed through the hole in the gear.

No gasket (but you could put one on from CA-Cycleworks) for the side cover.  Getting a new gasket for the starter to the engine case ain't a bad idea but I've been known to just put a thin coat of grey silicone sealant on the old one and re-use it.  I use the same grey silicone for the alternator cover to the case.

Don't skimp on scraping the silicone off and yes.....it's a beyotch.

[Duck-Stew]

The above applies to his 1999 M750.  Other models are *slightly* different from this.

[cyrus buelton]

I see two bolts on the oil window side of the starter.


Are those the two you have to remove to get inside the starter?

If so, I have to drain the oil, as the oil cooler lines are in the way.


but again.......if I have to change the whole thing, then I have to drain the oil anyway!

[cyrus buelton]

I can't get to the other bolt on the cap for the starter


any suggestions?



Also, where does one get an alternator cover puller?

[ducatiz]

I can't get to the other bolt on the cap for the starter


any suggestions?



Also, where does one get an alternator cover puller?

remove the gear.

that's the only way.

[64duc]

Also, where does one get an alternator cover puller?

An automotive steering wheel puller is perfect.

[cyrus buelton]

An automotive steering wheel puller is perfect.

I actually took all the bolts off and then put the slave back on, pumped it once slowly

bam. cover off.


just got the sidestand out of the way during lunch.


one more bolt to go and off to the starter re-build shop I go!

[cyrus buelton]

Ok, so I got the starter swapped out with a working one, but the bike still won't start. I had the old starter at a rebuild shop and they confirmed it didn't work and needed to be replaced. Luckily, I sourced one locally from a nice ducati owner.

make the beast with two backser still doesn't start, so it must be some sort of issue.

1. There is the solenoid under battery box
2. One wire clips into the plastic clip that goes into the battery. No fuse
3. Another wire runs to the starter. No fuse (at least that I can see)
4. Another wire runs to the the actual "start" button on the handlebar.

Under the seat is a fuse box and one of them is "ignition."

I swapped the 7.5 fuse with another one from the fuse box and nothing there.

What do I do next?

[ducpainter]

Make sure the small white connector in between the two cables on the solenoid is making a good connection.

Remove and reinstall it to be certain.

Have you jumped the two cables to see if the starter will turn that way?

[cyrus buelton]

Make sure the small white connector in between the two cables on the solenoid is making a good connection.

Remove and reinstall it to be certain.

Have you jumped the two cables to see if the starter will turn that way?

I tried that with the white plug and connections. All was good.



Addressing your second part:

I took a good battery, hooked it up with some small jumper cables, ground on the motor and put the hot on the starter post.

bingo. Starter cranked.

So obviously the issue is between the battery and the starter.

[ducpainter]

Do you have a voltmeter?

[cyrus buelton]

Do you have a voltmeter?

WTF is that?

[ducpainter]

WTF is that?

Go find out.

Then we can talk.

[cyrus buelton]

Go find out.

Then we can talk.

10-4


I think 'tizzy told me to buy one too.