Starter Grinding

[wmpotter399]

I just purchased a 1983 GL1100 Aspencade. I drove over 160 miles each way to get it. To be honest, I couldn't pass up the deal. The guy originally said that the air shock was leaking. Which, Is no big deal. So I drive the 160 miles. And when I get there the bike is running. He said that the battery was dead so he jump started it when I told him I was 10 minutes away. I should have know better. I rode the bike around the block. It rode real nice. And to be 100% honest. For an 83, the bike looked like it was in great shape. And for $100, you couldn't go wrong. Yes... I said $100. So I loaded it up and drove home. I went to take it off the trailer and it would not start. Battery was stone dead. So I pushed it off. I got a running start and popped the clutch. It started and I rode it up the driveway into my back yard. I put a booster pack on the battery and everything lit up. I pulled the clutch in and pushed the starter button. Never in my life have I heard such a God awful grinding noise when the starter engaged. The noise stopped shortly after I let go. Reading the manual, it says to pull the starter, you have to pull the engine from the frame. But I have seen quite a few posts from people saying that you can pull the starter with the engine in the frame. I know that I was able to do it on my old GL1000. Does anyone know for sure?

Now from what I read, the starter clutch is a big culprit with this bike. What does anyone think the odds are that my issue is only the starter? I see that you get a new gear with the starter. Is there a chance that the splines on the starter output stripped out that gear?

Any help and advice is appreciated. Thanks guys [img]

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[rcmatt007]

no you do not have to pull the engine to change the starter... you do have to remove the headers.

WHERE is the noise coming from? I cannot imagine it being from the starter motor. I have never heard of the splines stripping out where it goes into the gear. I suppose the chain could have something wrong, but I have never heard of that happening either.

The start is a sprag (centrifugal) clutch which engages in the alternator/stator. If the sound is the back of the engine what I would imagine you have is that the rotor for stator is loose. You can check in the back of the engine where there is a cap you can remove. inside is a 12 mm bolt which holds the rotor in place,

[rcmatt007]

btw, for $100 you got a steal even if you have to do a bunch of work.

[robin1731]

Yeah, rcmatt is correct. Sometime's you can run some MMO in the oil for a short time and get the rollers in the starter clutch to loosen up and start working. Yours may be too far gone though. Replacing the starter clutch is an engine out job. But for what you paid I would fix it and still be very happy.

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[RB]

I had one starter that the gears in the end..broke..so take the starter off and open the end look and see what's up

[chewy999]

I'm always commenting, (moaning) about the difference you guys pay for a runner compared to everyone else, but $100 is basically a giveaway, especially for an 83!
You can remove the starter without taking the engine out with a bit of manouvering, including taking the exhaust off. You can then check the splines on the starter and the cog, but I doubt that that is the problem. If it is the cog or, as is more likely the starter clutch, then it's engine out and rear cover off. Not a hard job but get a good manual. You could try the mmo way, but that may be just a quick fix imho.

[wmpotter399]

btw, for $100 you got a steal even if you have to do a bunch of work.

I agree with you 100%. It was a great deal. I will try to get someone out there with me so I can put my ear down there while someone hits the button for me.

[Sagebrush]

On an 1100 I'm pretty sure you don't even have to remove the headers to get the starter out.

[Edmaddox]

Another starter issue. Take starter off and pull gear head of of it. If it’s a cheap starter like one I had I will geruntee gears are all chewed up.

[ritalz]

On an 1100 I'm pretty sure you don't even have to remove the headers to get the starter out.

Correct. We proved that with Roady's bike a few years back. Biggest thing to remember is to be careful how you detach the power cable. Place a very thin wrench on the lower not and do not allow it to turn while removing the upper nut. remove the mounting bolts and wiggle the starter right out.

[Sidecar Bob]

I have an '83 and I can say for sure that not only do you have to remove the left header to get the starter motor out but you also have to pull the rearmost exhaust stud too (just thread 2 of the exhaust nuts onto it flange to flange, tighten them against each other, put the wrenches on the nuts so that squeezing them will tighten them farther and turn the stud by squeezing while turning). Once the stud is out you will need to move the starter motor out of the hole in the engine and wiggle it a bit to get it out but it will come.

And don't believe the people that tell you that you have to put the bike on the sidestand to keep the chain in the right place. The sidecar makes mine stand pretty much vertical and I've never had a problem getting the starter motor's splines to slide into the gear's splines.

[wmpotter399]

I am going to attempt removal this weekend. If I remember correctly from my GL1000, I need to drain the oil first. Correct? I have not seen anyone mention that yet.

[Sidecar Bob]

You don't need to drain the oil to remove the starter motor.

[wmpotter399]

OK. So I had a few minutes yesterday morning. 2 bolts and out it came. Didn't have to remove anything else to get it out. I did see a shaving or 2 on the splines. But it doesn't appear to be stripped at all. I stuck my finger in the hole and was able to turn the sprocket in only one direction. It will not turn the other was. So if I am correct....that means that the starter clutch is good. Or am I mistaken? But what is confusing my is that I used a battery and some jumper cables....I jumped the starter and it turns....and in don't hear and grinding. But I don't feel anything when I am turning the gear in the engine either. I am taking the stater to work tomorrow to take it apart. I want to check the internal gears that people mentioned in this post. Thanks for the help guys. I will keep you posted.

[robin1731]

You may be able to turn the gear in one direction and not the other by hand. But under the torque of the starter it is totally different.

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