Cali 1100 1995 aftermarket starter motor UK?

[izzug otom]

Hi all, can anyone tell me of a cheaper aftermarket starter motor available in the UK for a '95 carb Cali?

Mine is temperamentally failing and Spring is on its way.   ;)

[guzzisteve]

Lucas made one, it was on the 650 but it will also work on your 1100.

[Kiwi_Roy]

What is it, a Bosch? there's pretty much nothing on those that can't be fixed.

[izzug otom]

I'm not sure what make it is, I'll check that out.

The problem is it just clicks but doesn't turn over sometimes, other times it will. Not inspiring for going out on her, I'd have to park at the top of a substantial hill to jump her should it fail.

Does the clicking mean a particular fault? Are they relatively easy to repair?

Whacking the starter with a hammer etc will sometimes make it work, I know that's not a great idea, but does that indicate a sticking solenoid?

Thanks very much for your input here. :)

[Kiwi_Roy]

There are several different things that could be. Is it a loud solid click or just the faint click from the start relay?
A Bosch will have large Phillips screws on the barrel, a Valeo will be smooth, not a good idea to beat on one of those, the Germans can take it but the French take exception.
Your bike is wired with the start relay in series with the ignition switch, this causes Startus Interuptus (low Voltage at the solenoid) after a few years.
Clean all the connections at the battery, where the battery grounds to the chassis or gearbox the ignition switch contacts.
Check the Voltage at the solenoid trigger terminal while trying to start, you can do this with a small lamp connected to the terminal and ground, just leave it tucked away so next time it fails you can glance at it.
Note: we haven't even got to the starter yet ???

Yes they are easy to service.


I sent you a PM, respond to that and I will send you 1000 Wordsworth.

[BigDave in PA]

Yours is probably a Valeo starter as was on my '95. Some of the older ones had a problem with the magnets coming loose and binding on the armature. You can find replacements as well as parts here although I'm not sure about the shipping. http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/category-s/29.htm Here's an aftermarket on Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/STARTER-700-06-31-VALEO-MotoGuzzi/dp/B0059S4HJI

[dilligaf]

Right much what Roy and Big Dave said.  If your magnets are in the process of coming loose the starter will work but will be making a whine sound and will fail shortly after that.  I purchase all my charging and starter stuff from Euromotoelectrics here in the states.  I have no idea why BMW and MG need so much money for the same stuff.  Harpers will go head to head with Euromotoelectrics on the aftermarket stuff.  :BEER:
Matt

[mtiberio]

and FWIW, you can get cheap chinese "valeo" knockoffs on ebay for less than $100. I bought one for a bike I was flipping (on ebay no less). it worked the dozen times I used it. No idea how long these things last.

here is one for $75 free shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400811328611

[izzug otom]

Thanks for your replies folks.

The click I here is a loud clunking click from the starter motor itself, not the little relay click. A couple of months ago it wouldn't start at all, until was whacked a good few times with a hammer. Now the weather is starting to improve I've been taking another look.

Firstly I charged my battery, a good one, to full capacity. Checked for tightness of all connections, and tried again. Now it seems to start about 75% of the time with no need for the hammer treatment again. There has been none of the whining when it works just a very clean and efficient spin of the engine.

Does that narrow the problem down at all folks?

I'm going to take another look at it this afternoon so will check the voltage at the Starter terminal as suggested and let you know shortly what the result of that is. :)

Thanks again, what a wonderful community :)

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If it's a Bosch starter, it likely just needs to be serviced. Here's an excellent "how-to":
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_starter_and_solenoid_repair_-bosch-.html

[tris]

My 95 Cali was fitted with Valeo D6RA21 starter that died

I found a local supplier who got me a pattern one for £111 delivered Supplier in Scunthorpe was WNS Electrical Ltd and ask for Aidan - top bloke

Go here http://www.wnselectrics.com

I found I needed to run a tap through the threads as they were a tiny bit snug, but apart from that no problems

Pattern Part No was 113974 made by Holger Christensen which is apparently a Bosch company http://www.hc-cargo.com/Default.aspx?ID=7&GroupID=MC/Starters&ProductID=113974

I have no involvement with either company blah blah

[brightonguzzi]

In the UK, Gutzibits do a refurb service, send yours in and they replace it for one they have refurbished. Costs about £140.00 I think. They also sell brand new replacements.

I'm about to send mine to an active UK forum member who is charging me £100.00 to service the starter motor.

Many other places can offer the same service.

Hope that helps.

[jacksonracingcomau]

Rebuild kit costs about $10 from http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/Starter-Tune-up-Kit-BMW-MG-BO157-TK-p/bo157-tk.htm
solder brushes, tap in bushes, clean the whole thing, ride for another 20 years

solenoid can be dismantled and cleaned for free but rarely is fault, often diagnosed badly, usually it is the brush not making contact that stops circuit, hitting it (or timely kick start) gets the connection going.

[BigDave in PA]

Rebuild kit costs about $10 from http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/Starter-Tune-up-Kit-BMW-MG-BO157-TK-p/bo157-tk.htm
solder brushes, tap in bushes, clean the whole thing, ride for another 20 years

Isn't this for the Bosch starter. I'm sure the op's starter would be a Valeo if it's a '95. The Valeo kit is here: http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/val-tk.htm

[jacksonracingcomau]

Isn't this for the Bosch starter. I'm sure the op's starter would be a Valeo if it's a '95. The Valeo kit is here: http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/val-tk.htm

Sorry, you had stated that and given Euromoto link before, I've only rebuilt Bosch ones, with your proviso on loose magnets, Valeo job should be same.

Re shipping, I got a few kits sent to Oz, cost peanuts as they weigh nothing, even though Bosch starters common as muck here (std on Holden cars at same time) was still big save.

[Triple Jim]

If you do determine you need a new starter, it's a Valeo 432599.  If you search for that part on the net, you may find a better price than you expect.  I found that part number only after buying one and paying quite a bit more than I needed to.