Rebuild starter (Quota)

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

So last week I stalled my Quota leaving for work. It didn’t want to restart, the starter just made a click noise. Tapped on the solenoid with a handy blunt object, started right up. Promptly forgot about it. This evening on the way home from work I thought I had found neutral but apparently I wasn’t quite close enough. Stalled the bike at a red light. Did the click thing again. Whacked the starter with blunt object, it turned over super slow, not anywhere close to enough to start the bike. Fortunately I was able to roll the bike off downhill. Got home starter is still non operational.
So how hard is it to rebuild? Should I take it to a starter repair shop or do it myself? Startus interruptus is not an issue on Quotas correct?

Thanks, Robert

[moto-uno]

 For what it's worth , the $100.00 starter offered by MG cycles has no problem starting my high comp 990cc kitted Le Mans 2 .
 Doubt you could get it rebuilt for much less .  Peter

[Kiwi_Roy]

First of all make sure its the starter and not just a wiring issue, the fact that it started last week with a knock does sound like Startus Interuptus, but you are right they seem to be better wired.
What year and engine size is yours?
Eliminate the wiring by taking a 5 ft wire with a spade connector, attach it to the solenoid spade lug then touch the other end to the battery, if it cranks over it proves battery and starter are ok.
Before you do that remove both battery leads and scrape the terminals to get a nice bright connection, also scrape where the main battery ground makes contact with the chassis.
Make sure the bike is in neutral before you hot wire or you may launch it, do it with the key Off so you can give the starter and battery a good workout without the bike starting.
If the bike  cranks over the system is fine.
If it doesn't crank then its either a flat battery or loose connection or starter, try cranking it again with a Voltmeter attached to the battery, jamb the probes directly into the metal terminal, not the lugs attached. it should be able to hold ~10 Volts while cranking.
There are not many parts to a Valeo starter, pull it apart and see if you can find anything obvious like worn out brushes or loose magnets, Peter is probably right it could cost more than a new one to have it professionally overhauled.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

It’s a 2000 quota with the 1100. Thanks for the troubleshooting steps. I’ll get on it asap.

[Tom H]

If it turns out to be the starter. This brand has been mentioned before. I have never tried one.

https://www.amazon.com/DB-Electrical-SPR0018-Motorcycle-30730710/dp/B0081SAT1I?pd_rd_w=gQnEc&pf_rd_p=58f68c27-9bf4-466f-b1c8-101a062bcc82&pf_rd_r=C9KWK0M1AH229AMM1GW3&pd_rd_r=d761fea5-9edc-4f46-9ef0-ea0238dbd3c9&pd_rd_wg=OHRpz

Tom

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Euro MotoElectrics has some of the parts needed to rebuild the Valeo starters:
https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/category-s/1670.htm

[radguzzi]

It’s a 2000 quota with the 1100. Thanks for the troubleshooting steps. I’ll get on it asap.

Do all what Kiwi Roy said however, my 2000 Quota starter had exhibited the very same symptoms as what you state. Click.  I was on my lunch break from work, had to walk back to the office.   

That particular year Guzzi (other models included) suffered from two (2) of the magnets coming unglued and jammed themselves into the two that stayed put.  As I recall the fix was just a new outer case but that was some time ago. Not certain if I have that correct.  It was not a big ta-do though.

Good luck,
Rob

 

[Wayne Orwig]

Not uncommon in those years to have them lose the magnets. I have glued them back in place. Back then, the starters cost hundreds of dollars. Then Euromoto Electric started selling rebuild parts. So not worth gluing I suspect. But now, you can get a reliable new one fairly cheap.
So if you are adventurous, you can reglue the magnets.

[Kiwi_Roy]

EME also have some videos on restoring a Valeo starter, a new housing for $35 if the magnets have let go, really not a lot to it, have a go!
See the link Charlie provided.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Okay, update for posterity. I tested the started per Kiwi Roy’s instructions. Battery good, terminals good, same issue when hot tested. Since time is currently my most precious commodity, I ordered the $100 special from MG cycles that Moto mentioned. Swapped starters in about 20 minutes today. Starts right up like a charm!

The reason I decided to go this route is upon doing research its likely that if I replace the housing I’ll also need to replace the bushings while I’m in there. After adding up the parts I’d only be saving about $40. The savings in time made up for the difference. I am keeping the bad starter because in the future I think it would be good to rebuild it so a I have spare.

Cheers, and thanks for the help, Robert

[moto-uno]

 Great news and (considering Scottish side) it's really cheap  . Peter