K100 starter problem

[tiddy305]

Hi All,
 Im back on the road again after several years off!! No better way than to buy a K100 LT in England and ride it all the way to the south of Spain, 1442 miles over 3 days! I bought a 1991 model with only 43392 miles on it, ex Police bike, so fully serviced. The last service was 48 miles ago, but 6 years ago. Real good tidy bike.
 All went well apart from the last day when after refilling, the starter wouldn't engage, nothing at all. I rocked the bike in gear and it started on the switch, after that no problems for the rest of the day. At home the next day the bike wouldn't start again on the switch, over the last 5 days it has either;
1) Made no noise at all when the switch is pressed,
2) Made a current sounding noise with clicks heard beneath the petrol tank and lefthandside panel,
3) Once started on the switch after rocking the bike in gear,
4) Always starts if you put it in 3rd/4th and bump start it down the road, still wont start on the starter though,
  I dont have any other electrical problems, lights, horn etc, all work fine.
 Any suggestions please, I have read possible causes, and am thinking it may need a starter motor or an overhaul,
 Regards,
 Tiddy




 

[Scott_]

I'd suggest when you get home, if you aren't already, read here: http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/starter-cleaning/starter-cleaning.shtml

and here: http://skylands.ibmwr.org/tom/tech/starter.html

Sounds like you need to clean and service the starter.

[artcollinsjr]

if its whirring, ie turning with no engagement, you can clean the starter sprag clutch by draining the oil and replacing it with high detergent motor oil (used by diesel vehicles). I did this after a no start condition, and after a few hundred miles, I changed back to full syn oil and I have not had a no start since. It will also clean your sight glass!

[tiddy305]

Hi everyone,
 Thanks for the posts. I intend to have the starter taken out and cleaned. However I decided to give it a tap as a last resort effort, and lo and behold it now starts on the button! Guess the thing just got stuck.
 Regards,
 Tiddy

[rocket23]

Yeah, the brushes were askew.......not to say that it wont repeat itself.........cuz it will eventually.

[noppo]

I'd suggest when you get home, if you aren't already, read here: http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/starter-cleaning/starter-cleaning.shtml

and here: http://skylands.ibmwr.org/tom/tech/starter.html

Sounds like you need to clean and service the starter.

i can vouch for this.  i did the job when it warmed up (diagnosed in mid-winter), and all has been well ever since.  Dealer wanted a pretty penny for the job, but you can easily do it yourself.  Save yourself the money, and put it towards your next spline lube or something else.