Which starter?

[rtbickel]

I might have to replace the starter on my '02 California.  Which of the Bosch or Valeo is best?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If you're buying new, I'm not sure there's a Bosch choice. I've installed several Valeo "clone" starters on customer bikes and so far have had no failures, years on. Cheap on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/185884722812

[pehayes]

Maybe you should explain WHY you think you will need to change the starter.  What are your symptoms?  What diagnoses have you performed.  There are several issues with your starter circuit which are far more likely to fail than the starter itself.

Patrick  Hayes
Fremont CA

[rtbickel]

It won't turn the engine over enough to start with a new fully charged battery wired directly to it

[Kiwi_Roy]

I'm sure most starters are made in China these days, we get what we pay for

[Wayne Orwig]

Years ago, the Valeo starts were known for having magnets come unglued. You would lose power, or the thing would totally jam and not turn.

You can get rebuild parts for those from Euromotoelectrics.

https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/category-s/1670.htm

[johnk]

I replaced mine with an Enduralast starter from Euromotoelectric and I see they are on sale on the page linked in the post for 1/3 what I paid 15 or so years ago. My guess is it's being cleared out for EOL'ing the product. If anybody wants one, they probably should get it now.

Years ago, the Valeo starts were known for having magnets come unglued. You would lose power, or the thing would totally jam and not turn.

You can get rebuild parts for those from Euromotoelectrics.

https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/category-s/1670.htm

[wirespokes]

The one at Euromotoelectric (the cheaper one) is the same as the one Charlie posted on ebay. Being a true Guzzisti, I'd get the ebay offering. I've used, have and repaired/rebuilt, both and don't see any difference. Since the magnet-dropping issue was solved many years ago they all work fine.

It's possible yours has a magnet coming loose, or just needs rebuilt. Or, like Roy says, it might be the rest of the circuitry - relay, connections, etc. But if you're not going to fix the old one, send it to me.

[John A]

They are not well sealed against water and depending on how much rain you’ve ridden through they can benefit from disassembly and cleaning every few years. Euromoto electric has all the parts so I usually have one on the shelf, ready. The last time I needed one was a couple years ago when the starter button stuck on our Jackal and my wife didn’t recognize the noise when she was out riding with her brothers. Third gear push start, back home and she was on her way . They are out riding around now but I’m at home welding up some cracks in a fifty foot radio tower that I want to get up before winter.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The one at Euromotoelectric (the cheaper one) is the same as the one Charlie posted on ebay. Being a true Guzzisti, I'd get the ebay offering. I've used, have and repaired/rebuilt, both and don't see any difference. Since the magnet-dropping issue was solved many years ago they all work fine.

It's possible yours has a magnet coming loose, or just needs rebuilt. Or, like Roy says, it might be the rest of the circuitry - relay, connections, etc. But if you're not going to fix the old one, send it to me.

Last "clone" I bought on ebay was Made in Poland, not China. Big (pleasant) surprise when I opened the box.