Starter Motor not operating *81 XJ 550

After cranking for a few seconds the starter motor on my 1981 XJ 550 Europe style SECA stopped turning and is dead. The solenoid at battery box is clicking and i have tried shorting the two heavy duty wires to eliniate solenoid but no reaction from starter motor.
The engine turns easily enough with a spanner on the the timing cover end.
Can someone advise of possible causes and any test procedures from here?
Also how to remove motor if required.
Thanks in advance.

 

Dead battery

 

Or bad starter. Mine did the same when it was going out. It would hit a bad spot and stop spinning.

Throw a charger on it or have the battery tested. If you have the same issue, take the starter to a rebuild shop.

 

those starters aren't all that hard to rebuild, really. i have one apart on my table now and i got brushes for it. kinda fun, actually.

 

try jumping the bike with a car battery (tci disconnected), if still no spin, remove starter by dis connecting the large terminal on top, then remove the 3 allen cap bolts from the l.h.side of the motor , the motor should then just wiggle out to the left,
you can then bench test it by jumping a known ,good battery, -ve onto motor body, +ve onto large terminal (holding motor firmly) it should spin. if not its time for a rebuild, as stated earlier they're not that hard,
do you have a manual?, if not you need to get one really.
here's one in bits, its usually the brushes on the plate that are worn

stu

 

Yessir!

 

You can jump start the bike from a car battery..... You don't have to disconnect the tci to do that

 

Thanks to you all, have been using a car battery on the ground and have extended the HD cables to reach. These are sound so i am sure there are no connection problems . I will remove starter and do a spin test, have got a US SECA manual on CD. a brief look at it suggested removing generator rotor with special tools before the starter???? Thats why i asked . I now know it was suggested as part of a complete engine strip. i should have read more carefully.
Thanks again will update when i can as i am of to Switzerland for a week. Its a hard life!!

 

Any updates? Im dealing with the same issue

 

Yes, the brushes were worn away and inside motor was black with the carbon from them, so stripped and cleaned and had to wait for overhaul kit from US to wing its way to Scotland. It has arrived now and i am back from Holiday so will rebuild , test and report. There was no doubt what was wrong after i dismantled it.

 

Rebuilt and spinning over nicely.