Time to rebuild starter?

[BrianK]

So I fixed my sprag clutch - twice. Bike started right up (so it's not in backwards). A week later, today, I start up the bike, run it for a bit, shut it down, and it won't restart. Solenoid clicks but starter doesn't turn. A wire from positive battery terminal to the cable attachment nut on the starter produces a shower of sparks and nothing else.

Sound like time to rebuild the starter (bike has only 12,800 miles on it, ferpete'ssake!)?

- BrianK

[jmmmrm]

I beleive it could be shorting out at the starter. I have had this happen to me before. There should be a ceramic/glass piece that prevents the current from grounding out in the starter. if it is cracked, it will cause this. This piece is in the cap, so you will have to take it apart. You can do this without removing the alternator cover. You can also by new brushes for the starter.

[BrianK]

Found the problem - or problems, I should say.

Had a 1.8V voltage drop between battery and starter. Replaced cables from battery to solenoid (new cable, and bypassed the connector) and from solenoid to starter - voltage drop reduced to 1.1V (now starter will at least "try" to turn the engine over). Remaining problem pretty much has to be the solenoid, so I'm getting a new one of those and methinks the problem(s) will be solved.

PITA, but it sure beats rebuilding the starter! - BrianK