my starter has died! what do i need?

[showerfan]

so i installed some sweet new cycle cat clip-ons, which make the bike handle so much better, but in the process i think i fcuked up the starter switch and now it has smoked up and died...



so after i moved the controls off the bars and onto the clip-ons, the starter switch got stuck IN -- like it didn't pop back out again after i pushed it to start the bike.

so i drove the 20 miles or so into the city with it in the IN position. when i got there, i shut off the bike and then i popped it back out again by fiddling with it a little. but then it wouldn't start the bike again.

no huge worries, after work i just jumped it in first gear, and drove back out to westchester. when i got home i turned the bike off, then back on again and tried to push the button to start the bike... and the electronics (headlight, dashboard, etc.) just slowly died out and then a plume of smoke puffed out from under the right side of the gas tank and everything went dead.

what do you think i need now to replace the starter? i'm guessing more than just the little switch on the controls. the bike still starts if i jump it, but i am thinking i need a new starter motor? any help?

thanks, matt

[koko64]

Check under the tank and battery tray for a fried solenoid. Could be thats all it is and the actual starter is ok. You can bypass it to test the starter and solenoid also known as the starter relay in some parts of the world.
Use the search as there many detailed descriptions on doing this. For a start you van jump the two terminals on the solenoid/relay with a screwdriver or small wrench to see if it engages the starter motor. Dont touch anything else with that wrench because its positive electrickery.
Others might have good links to help.

[DarkStaR]

Whey you say jump it, do you mean like jump starting it with another battery/vehicle?

Or

Are you referring to push starting it?

[koko64]

I mean carefully bridging the solenoid/relay terminals with a metallic object to bypass it. If the starter engages, you know the relay is fried. 
You can use a separate battery to directly check the startet but thats the next thing to try. Relays go all the time, actual starter motors are quite durable.

[DarkStaR]

I mean carefully bridging the solenoid/relay terminals with a metallic object to bypass it. If the starter engages, you know the relay is fried.  
You can use a separate battery to directly check the startet but thats the next thing to try. Relays go all the time, actual starter motors are quite durable.

Not you koko, the OP.  

no huge worries, after work i just jumped it in first gear, and drove back out to westchester. when i got home i turned the bike off, then back on again and tried to push the button to start the bike... and the electronics (headlight, dashboard, etc.) just slowly died out and then a plume of smoke puffed out from under the right side of the gas tank and everything went dead.

what do you think i need now to replace the starter? i'm guessing more than just the little switch on the controls. the bike still starts if i jump it, but i am thinking i need a new starter motor? any help?

thanks, matt

[JoeP]

The exact same thing happened to me recently. The starter switch got stuck and I rode around for an hour with the starter motor going. I had to replace it. Before you do that, make sure that your starter motor is really defective. It's pretty straight forward to replace it, but it can be a pain. Use jumper cables and connect your battery directly to the motor and see if it turns. Remember to connect the ground terminal on the motor last so you don't cause sparks near the battery! Btw, there's a chance that both your motor and solenoid are fried so allow for that possibility when planning your repairs.

I got a great deal on a new motor here: http://www.stockers.com/index.php?au=1

[koko64]

Not you koko, the OP.  

Oh cool. I get it. Sorry mate.

[showerfan]

when i say "jump" i mean push starting. really surprisingly easy, actually! when i'm done dealing with the immediate issues, i may look into modding a kickstarter onto my old monster -- that would be retro-rad!

god i hope it's not the starter motor. but it probably is, isn't it? i didn't realize it would stay on when the button was pushed in. thought it was just one "start" per push, like a 5 second blast. in hindsight it should have been obvious to me, i suppose...

[koko64]

Theres a good chance its only the relay. The smoke came from under the tank consistent with burning out the relay. Those two wires running to the back of the relay are visible from the left side of the bike and are held onto terminals with two nuts. Bridge them and if the starter turns then you only have to replace the relay.

Check out the manual or California Cycleworks to see the part (under electrical or ignition).

[showerfan]

sweet -- really appreciate the help guys!

i am headed home from work tonight with some brand new rizoma rearsets in my pocket (thank you, motovation), so i will be hanging in the garage, jamming out to some tunes and working on my bike -- perfect friday!

[Autostrada Pilot]

My starter relay went out a couple years back.  They're like $60.  Try bypassing the starter solenoid (as mentioned above) to determine what is bad [MAKE SURE YOUR BIKE IS IN NEUTRAL so you don't have a tipover]. 

My starter itself went out last year.  Stealership wanted like $500, bought a Ricks for <$200.