Bosch Starter Replacement

[JC85]

The starter on my SPII went out, a while back. It's the old style with the solenoid on top of the starter. I know that MG Cycle has them, but they're $209! Being as this is just a side project, I'd rather not spend that kind of money on a starter, if I can avoid it. Does anyone know if there is a substitute for the Bosch?

[theoneandonlymin]

Here in England I would just head down to the starter motor repair / restoration shop. There's nothing fancy about a Bosch starter.

Cheers
Min

[barrypenn]

Exactly what Min said - take it to your closest Alternator/Elec Motor/Auto Elec shop and have them rebuild it. All it needs is brushes, bronze sleeve bearings, and spiff up the commutator ring, and cleanout of about a palm full of rust and carbon powder....Exact same SP-2 and starter here, shop charged $40 and it's been spinning like new for about 10 years now. Worth keeping the Bosch on your bike - there were about a zillion of them made, so parts are commonplace.

[MotoG5]

Here in England I would just head down to the starter motor repair / restoration shop. There's nothing fancy about a Bosch starter.

Cheers
Min

st

+1 The older Bosch starters are easily rebuildable.

[Tom H]

Agree with above or even maybe do it yourself.

If you don't mind just an aftermarket, try Mark at Guzzi Classics. He uses a brand that he really likes.

Tom

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

This is for a Loop Bosch, but the SP II era Bosch will be much the same:
http://thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_starter_and_solenoid_repair_-bosch-.html

My local rebuilder charges ~ $120 to do a starter depending on what it needs.

You could always try a Valeo copy:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTO-GUZZI-STARTER-0307307110-30730710-30730711/153822021100

[Tom]

A Valeo or like Charlie says the Valeo replica would also work. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'm now running a Valeo copy on the Mighty Scura and Aero Lario. About 60 bucks from Amazon. They "appear" to be very good, and work fine so far..
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0081SAT1I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Kiwi_Roy]

Take it apart and post a picture of the components, we will tell you what's wrong.

[Diploman]

Three years ago I purchased a Chinese-made "Valeo Clone" starter on eBay for about $70.  (Price appears to have dropped since then.)  I fitted this starter to my 1980 V50II which was undergoing a resto-mod at the time.  The new starter has performed flawlessly since.  I think this item is superior to the OE Bosch in several respects: because it uses planetary gears, it generates more torque for the same power draw than the direct-drive Bosch, cranking the motor faster; it is significantly lighter than the ponderous Bosch, saving several pounds; and it is much less expensive.  It fit without issues.  Unoriginal but highly functional.  Very good value for money.  Yes, it's Chinese but it works exceedingly well.  Should it go down, buying a new one would very likely be less costly than repair.

[wirespokes]

Yes, it's Chinese but it works exceedingly well.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if those very same Chinese build the OEM Valeo starters. Except for the missing Valeo stickers the starters look the same.