Starter Problems

I have an 1982 XJ750 Maxim, while out riding last week I encountered a problem starting my bike. I hear the normal clicking from the starter solenoid and have run through the system with a volt meter and tested the starter motor itself and it work's outside the bike. When back in the bike it does nothing, I feel like it is the starter clutch but I'm unsure. Has anybody had this problem? I trying to get some information before getting in to the engine case to find the problem is some where else.

 

My XJ900 was doing the same, tapped the starter and it worked. Pulled the starter off and cleaned the armature with some fine wet and dry sand paper, bit of fresh grease on the planetry gears and drop of oil on the bushes. Put it back in and its been fine since.

 

Ok, I will give it a try before I do anything else. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Just be careful with the drop of oil on the bushings. They are self-lubricating bushings made from a porous (bronze?) metal impregnated with oil and sometimes adding oil will plug up the bushing's ability to lube itself.

 

I got into the starter today, found a bunch of soot and some really warn out brushes, which seems to be the cause. I got some new ones ordered should be here before next weekend so I can get back on the road.

 

Amazing what 1000 grit wet/dry will do to clean the armature. A few passes around like you're shining shoes and voila! Shines like new.

 

I would be very selective as to what type of abrasive I'd use on an armature. Grit can and does become snagged in the copper and will chew up your new brushes in a hurry. I'd use a pink pencil eraser to clean off the commutator. It won't leave any residue and is safe.
Lesson here is don't use the cheap sandpaper. Use emery cloth or the like to resurface the commutator.

 

Robert, I agree with you about being picky with electrical, so I asked the guys at a local place that rebuilds starters. The advice was that emery cloth was OK, but they felt 1000 or higher wet/dry paper was a better choice. I am still on the learning trail so taking advice from someone local I can go back to if the advice is poor seemed like the right decision.

There was little to no reside and after reassembly the starter worked great. You have a point about the brushes, but as they were within the limits, they were reused (sorry chacal). Over the winter I will replace the brushes and try the emery cloth route to experience the difference. I like the pencil eraser idea, too. Cheap and effective is the Way.

 

Sometimes the Carbon Dust buildup is enough to cause the Starting Current to Ground rather than energize the motor.

Just ridding the Dust by spray cleaning the Armature area will get you back in action.

They make a product that is used specifically for resurfacing the Armature.
Old Timers call it "Glass Paper"