Cali Stone-Strange starter motor noise

[Steph]

What are the odds eh, not sure if it's a coincidence, changed the regulator and battery and now the starter motor is either making a fast spinning noise like an internal clutch is slipping and had gone bad or quickly groans to a halt if the 'fast idle' lever is pulled.
Is the starter going south?


If you have a Photobucket account click on link image to see video in photobucket:

Edit: photobucket link removed as it's not working!

[Vagrant]

I'm just 1 scotch in for the night but there is absolutely nothing that fast idle lever has to do with the starter unless, the starter arm is sticking and holding the gear into the flywheel.
that arm/ lever in the starter on yours is made of a fiber/ bakelite type material. my 2001 failed at about 60000 miles. it gave very little warning. if that's the case you might get away with pulling the starter and flushing it out. if it's worn get a new starter.

[yogidozer]

Please don't be insulted. Are you sure the battery is hooked up correctly?

[Rich A]

The starters from around that time too often had the magnets come unglued--that made for an ugly noise.

Rich A

[Steph]

Please don't be insulted. Are you sure the battery is hooked up correctly?

Not insulted, why would you say the battery is not hooked up right? It did cross my mind that the New motobatt bolts are too short and had to use the longer odessey bolts with a couple of washers because the motobatt has a ridiculously small amount of thread available.

Vagrant,
Yes it sounds like it is always engaging. If the idle speed lever is pull there's more compression and the starter can't get going

[Wayne Orwig]

The 'bendix' / gear can stick and remain engaged, changing the motor speed might disengage it.
Flush it out a bit.

There is a dust shield in there that is pressed in. I have seen them come loose and make a spinning and rattling noise for a few seconds after the button is release.

They are rebuildable.

[Steph]

The starters from around that time too often had the magnets come unglued--that made for an ugly noise.

Rich A

It more than ugly noises. When it doesn't  start, it sounds like the battery is flat. Pulled out the volt meter and the new monstrous battery has a healthy 12.9v at rest

[yogidozer]

Not insulted, why would you say the battery is not hooked up right? It did cross my mind that the New motobatt bolts are too short and had to use the longer odessey bolts with a couple of washers because the motobatt has a ridiculously small amount of thread available.

Vagrant,
Yes it sounds like it is always engaging. If the idle speed lever is pull there's more compression and the starter can't get going

if a battery is hooked up reverse polarity, it will spin the starter, but not engage the flywheel.

[Steph]

if a battery is hooked up reverse polarity, it will spin the starter, but not engage the flywheel.

No problem here, it starts, 80% of the time!
Not sure  if anybody manage to hear the starter in the video I put on photobucket link image

[yogidozer]

ok, I couldn't get the link to work

[Vagrant]

"Vagrant,
Yes it sounds like it is always engaging. If the idle speed lever is pull there's more compression and the starter can't get going"


all that lever does is give it a bit more fuel no different than twisting the grip. no compression change at all.
simplest thing to do is tear it apart before you get a towing bill.
when I did mine about 5 years ago i found by the time i bought everything it was only about $20 more to just buy a new starter.
I think I got it from Euro something  in  think Colorado. Joe Eish was out of them so he gave me their #. somebody here will know who I'm talking about and give you a link.

[Zoom Zoom]

It is just unacceptable that Guzzi cannot source a starter that will last more than 15 years. 

I had one fail once on the way to Luap's rally. 90 miles out and we had to bump start the bike. Had to source one out of the back of a rally goers trailer.  (A Kwick Kamp towed behind his bike.) I'll tell ya!

John Henry

[Steph]

It is just unacceptable that Guzzi cannot source a starter that will last more than 15 years. 

I'm not complaining!

Just need to know before I pull the trigger on a new one.

Is it possible that the 12.9v of the new battery is more than what it was used to (12.7v) and that 'straw' broke the camels back? (I do have a wild imagination :) )

[Zoom Zoom]

I know. I didn't think you were. Just my feeble attempt at being a smart a**.

In case you were wondering, the subject of longevity has come up before.

On a more serious note, Yes, the magnets would start to fail. As in come loose from the housing inside. Eventually, the no start issue will become more prevalent and the starter will need replaced or rebuilt if there is anybody around that could do that for you. Mine was giving me warnings before I struck out for Missouri back then. I was to dumb to realize the message. I was also very lucky in obtaining a spare, although I was not too concerned about being able to get back home either way.

John Henry

[Mike Tashjian]

The new battery is giving you higher voltage and letting the starter draw less amperage.  Unfortunately the old battery was doing the opposite and any damage from that is already done.  Take the starter out and at least look it over and clean it up.  From there you can inspect it closer and decide to service it, rebuild it, or replace it.  Depending on what you find.    Mike

[Chuck in Indiana]

No problem here, it starts, 80% of the time!
Not sure  if anybody manage to hear the starter in the video I put on photobucket link image

I tried, but all I got was 5 ads with video, and the little blue square.  Maybe some malware, too.. that's the last time PB gets a click from me.

[Vagrant]

I tried, but all I got was 5 ads with video, and the little blue square.  Maybe some malware, too.. that's the last time PB gets a click from me.

PB is a piece of ....

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well.. seriously.. you need to take the starter apart and find out what is going on. Magnets? Maybe. Corrosion on the solenoid? Maybe. On another tack.. Startus Interuptus? Maybe. Something? Definitely.  Fix it in the comfort of your shed. It's a lot easier than on the side of the road. At night. In the rain.. <shrug>

[Steph]

The new battery is giving you higher voltage and letting the starter draw less amperage.  Unfortunately the old battery was doing the opposite and any damage from that is already done.  Take the starter out and at least look it over and clean it up.  From there you can inspect it closer and decide to service it, rebuild it, or replace it.  Depending on what you find.    Mike

Thanks for that. You explained what I suspected.

& I guess that's why ZoomZoom quickly removed his hilarious post

[Steph]

Well.. seriously.. you need to take the starter apart and find out what is going on. Magnets? Maybe. Corrosion on the solenoid? Maybe. On another tack.. Startus Interuptus? Maybe. Something? Definitely.  Fix it in the comfort of your shed. It's a lot easier than on the side of the road. At night. In the rain.. <shrug>

I've never had luck with reconditioning starters (Bosch).

I just haven't got time these days...
I'll get a new one, install it myself and be done with it.

Btw, I have removed the Photobucket link. Sorry it didn't work. It was just the sound of the starter whining-up high on the button

[Madtownguzzi]

Here is an excellent parts source for starters. http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/category-s/1670.htm

[Steph]

Here is an excellent parts source for starters. http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/category-s/1670.htm

Thanks but I'm in the UK. I got it sorted