Slow start: Help me figure this one out...

[Geezer]

Please keep us posted regarding what you do to fix this. My starter has been exhibiting the same symptoms and I may look into it once the snow flies.

[bungie4]

Aw, it's okay Marty, lots of guys start slow, but they finish strong!

[0face]

It was definitely the starter. It start so lively now! A few Viagra in the gas tank and all good!

[Bust]

It start so lively now! A few Viagra in the gas tank and all good!

Wow..
Nice job gaying up your post.

Good to see ya got it fxd.

[wheatonFJR]

It start so lively now! A few Viagra in the gas tank and all good!

Wow..
Nice job gaying up your post.

Good to see ya get fxd.

???!!!

[raYzerman]

Save that original starter for forensic analysis........

[ionbeam]

Save that original starter for forensic analysis........

The brushes wear creating a fine, mostly conductive dust. The copper commutator lobes gets lightly worn by the brushes creating a fine conductive copper dust. Oil starts to seep in. The oil, brush dust and copper dust combine into a very thick paste. The paste starts to collect in the kerfs between the commutator lobes. The mostly conductive paste now starts to let current leak between commutator lobes causing excess current draw and simultaneously reduces the current through the energized commutator lobes reducing motor torque. High current draw and slow rotor turning = Marty's slow starting woes.

New seals in the starter ends. Clean, clean, clean the starter. Scrupulously clean the commutator kerfs all the way to the bottom, end to end of the kerf. Polish the commutator lobe surfaces. Reuse the remainder of the brushes (or replace if you really want to). Reload the starter into the bike; ride trouble free for another 100k miles.

[silverback]

Save that original starter for forensic analysis........

The brushes wear creating a fine, mostly conductive dust. The copper commutator lobes gets lightly worn by the brushes creating a fine conductive copper dust. Oil starts to seep in. The oil, brush dust and copper dust combine into a very thick paste. The paste starts to collect in the kerfs between the commutator lobes. The mostly conductive paste now starts to let current leak between commutator lobes causing excess current draw and simultaneously reduces the current through the energized commutator lobes reducing motor torque. High current draw and slow rotor turning = Marty's slow starting woes.

New seals in the starter ends. Clean, clean, clean the starter. Scrupulously clean the commutator kerfs all the way to the bottom, end to end of the kerf. Polish the commutator lobe surfaces. Reuse the remainder of the brushes (or replace if you really want to). Reload the starter into the bike; ride trouble free for another 100k miles.

Yup.

Used to have a lathe that was made for cleaning up commutators. Also had a small cutting wheel to clean the insulators between them. Some coarse steel wool to break the glaze on the brushes.

I originally pegged the battery as the culprit. If it were an old Ford 460, you'd expect the starter before anything. This is the first failed starter I have heard of on a FJR. Learn something new everyday!

[Geezer]

Save that original starter for forensic analysis........

The brushes wear creating a fine, mostly conductive dust. The copper commutator lobes gets lightly worn by the brushes creating a fine conductive copper dust. Oil starts to seep in. The oil, brush dust and copper dust combine into a very thick paste. The paste starts to collect in the kerfs between the commutator lobes. The mostly conductive paste now starts to let current leak between commutator lobes causing excess current draw and simultaneously reduces the current through the energized commutator lobes reducing motor torque. High current draw and slow rotor turning = Marty's slow starting woes.

New seals in the starter ends. Clean, clean, clean the starter. Scrupulously clean the commutator kerfs all the way to the bottom, end to end of the kerf. Polish the commutator lobe surfaces. Reuse the remainder of the brushes (or replace if you really want to). Reload the starter into the bike; ride trouble free for another 100k miles.

That sounds like the way to go for a frugal person like myself.

[raYzerman]

I had a fellow firefighter buddy back in the day who was a motor rebuilder. Took my vacuum cleaner motor to him, he cleaned up the comm with the lathe, reassembled, fired it up and used an abrasive stick on the comm to bed in the brushes. It was amazing to hear the increase in speed as the brushes became perfectly matched to the comm. Of course, not possible on a closed in set of brushes on a starter motor.

I have seen postings on other forums (not many) where the end seal let a lot of oil seep in and clog up the comm area. Marty's is mild compared to those that were totally gunked up. Usually with higher mileage bikes.

Bring the old one to the next tech day, Marty!

[ionbeam]

It is very, very rare for such a young starter to fail. It seems that oil sealing is the root of all evil

Any good Man Hack has to have some element of danger. The armature can be chucked in a drill in a horizontal position with the far end in a V-block, then use a mild file to make a poor mans 'lathe'. You aren't cutting down the commutator much, just smoothing the surface.

[silverback]

It is very, very rare for such a young starter to fail. It seems that oil sealing is the root of all evil

Any good Man Hack has to have some element of danger. The armature can be chucked in a drill in a horizontal position with the far end in a V-block, then use a mild file to make a poor mans 'lathe'. You aren't cutting down the commutator much, just smoothing the surface.

That could work well. Possibly even some emery cloth.

This reminds me of Galaxy Quest where they asked Tim Allen's character if he could make a rudimentary lathe while trying to fight off a space creature made of large rocks.

This just happens to be the movie where Sigourney Weaver was a blonde in a push up, which was the best part of that movie.

[0face]

It is very, very rare for such a young starter to fail. It seems that oil sealing is the root of all evil

Any good Man Hack has to have some element of danger. The armature can be chucked in a drill in a horizontal position with the far end in a V-block, then use a mild file to make a poor mans 'lathe'. You aren't cutting down the commutator much, just smoothing the surface.

That could work well. Possibly even some emery cloth.

This reminds me of Galaxy Quest where they asked Tim Allen's character if he could make a rudimentary lathe while trying to fight off a space creature made of large rocks.

This just happens to be the movie where Sigourney Weaver was a blonde in a push up, which was the best part of that movie.

Somehow I understand this thought process...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cav47]

Why am I NOT surprised that a technical post about Marty's starter (immediately upon completion) has morphed into a boob picture! It did take 3 pages, so should I be depressed or impressed? Lol.

Good to hear your equipment is back up to full speed!

[silverback]

Why am I NOT surprised that a technical post about Marty's starter (immediately upon completion) has morphed into a boob picture! It did take 3 pages, so should I be depressed or impressed? Lol.

Good to hear your equipment is back up to full speed!

You've heard of Godwyn's law? Well on this forum, it's just a bit different.

[NTXFJR]

Why am I NOT surprised that a technical post about Marty's starter (immediately upon completion) has morphed into a boob picture! It did take 3 pages, so should I be depressed or impressed? Lol.

Good to hear your equipment is back up to full speed!

You've heard of Godwyn's law? Well on this forum, it's just a bit different.

Boobs in push up bra and Marty's equipment is back up now. Makes total sense.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Uncle Hud]

Her sexiest role, IMHO, because the Alien movies were too scary to watch.

[wheatonFJR]

It is very, very rare for such a young starter to fail. It seems that oil sealing is the root of all evil

Any good Man Hack has to have some element of danger. The armature can be chucked in a drill in a horizontal position with the far end in a V-block, then use a mild file to make a poor mans 'lathe'. You aren't cutting down the commutator much, just smoothing the surface.

That could work well. Possibly even some emery cloth.

This reminds me of Galaxy Quest where they asked Tim Allen's character if he could make a rudimentary lathe while trying to fight off a space creature made of large rocks.

This just happens to be the movie where Sigourney Weaver was a blonde in a push up, which was the best part of that movie.

Alan/ionbeam was JUST going to go there...

[ionbeam]

It is very, very rare for such a young starter to fail. It seems that oil sealing is the root of all evil

Any good Man Hack has to have some element of danger. The armature can be chucked in a drill in a horizontal position with the far end in a V-block, then use a mild file to make a poor mans 'lathe'. You aren't cutting down the commutator much, just smoothing the surface.

That could work well. Possibly even some emery cloth.

This reminds me of Galaxy Quest where they asked Tim Allen's character if he could make a rudimentary lathe while trying to fight off a space creature made of large rocks.

This just happens to be the movie where Sigourney Weaver was a blonde in a push up, which was the best part of that movie.

Alan/ionbeam was JUST going to go there...

Actually, Galaxy Quest was poking fun at Star Trek where Captain Kirk used some found mineral deposits, a few stray large diamonds and a hollow log to construct a cannon to shoot bad, bad antagonist Gorn.



Now, any good FJRider can troubleshoot and fix his FJR in the pouring rain, at night using a removed tail light as a volt meter to diagnose and replace a failed stator while using only the tool kit from under the seat. Easy. Until Sigourney Weaver in her push up stops to watch -- totally vacating the FJRider's ability to think or reason out the problem at hand.

[wheatonFJR]

^^^
spoken like the true tech wizard that he is.