Parts request - new starter motor for a '99 M900 (carb'd)

[mostrobelle]

If you've got one of these takin' up some space in your garage, I'd love to have it.  I need one and a new one is $500.   

[Spidey]

Check for compatible ones from other Ducs.  I did a quick eBay scan this morning and saw used ones for mid-90s supersports for $80-100.  G'luck.

[mostrobelle]

Talked to Stu and that's about what they run used.  I need to get a green light on my diagnosis from the shop, but I'm pretty sure that's what it is.  Unfortunately Stu doesn't have one.  I'm going to check in with Desmoto to see what's compatible, if they've got something lying around or a line on one. 

[Spidey]

How'd you diagnose that it was the starter motor?  Some people have had problems with their starter sprag rather than their starter motor.  Basically, the starter motor runs fine, but the sprocket that is attached to the starter motor (and located in the flywheel side of the engine) gets fubar'd.   Drunkenmonkey was thus afflicted.  

[mostrobelle]

How'd you diagnose that it was the starter motor?  Some people have had problems with their starter sprag rather than their starter motor.  Basically, the starter motor runs fine, but the sprocket that is attached to the starter motor (and located in the flywheel side of the engine) gets fubar'd.   Drunkenmonkey was thus afflicted.  

Enzo's behaved and sounded exactly like mine does.  I don't believe I've ever changed out the starter motor in this bike either, which seems odd, but I can't find it anywhere in my records.  We've fixed other starting-related issues, but not the starter motor itself.  It seems like a likely culprit, but I'll have Scott double-check it and ask about the sprag as another source of the problem. 

[Popeye the Sailor]

Have you checked for a shop to have it rebuilt A rebuild typically runs about $50....

[mostrobelle]

No, but will look into it. 

[Popeye the Sailor]

No, but will look into it. 

Lemme know if you need help.


FTR, a *good* rebuild shop won't care what the application is.

[GEEZER]

Autolectrics in San Jose has been a good source for rebuilds for me.

[mostrobelle]

I knew you could rebuild a car starter...didn't know you could do that for a moto.  Will definitely be considering that if it turns out to be the problem.   Thanks so far for the input!

[MendoDave]

I thought it Starting your bike was the Butlers problem.

[Speeddog]

When removing or installing the nut that holds the cable on....

Make sure the stud that it's threaded onto does not turn more than a tiny bit.
Significant rotation will break parts that are basically unavailable.

Sprag failures are one of the most common issues.
I've had a 996 in my shop where the idler gear was seized onto the shaft.

[mostrobelle]

Good stuff here.  Thanks.    I've got the bike at the shop and need to reproduce the problem for them.  Of course the bike started flawlessly when I brought it in.   

[mostrobelle]

Just to bring closure to this...

Turned out that a wire from the battery to the alternator had broken.  Just got old...My commute isn't long enough to completely drain the battery and I was good about putting it on the tender every night, so managed this way for several months without knowing it.  (I did notice that my headlight was quite dim once in a while.)  So the wire got replaced for a few bucks and life is good. 

However, I mentioned to Desmoto that my bike had been starting hard for a long time prior to this issue and has been getting worse over the years.  They recommended a beefy set of battery cables that they've been having made for a while now.  My cables were pretty chowed up, so I went in for a set of these at $90 for the set.  The difference is amazing.  It starts like a normal bike, even on a cold morning!  The only downside is that the starting issue was sort of a built in theft-deterrent in my mind--I forget the key in the bike a lot.  But now anyone can just start it up.

[Drunken Monkey]

Do you know if Desmoto makes these cables in custom lengths? Mine's routed around the other side of the engine.