How to Test Starter?

[RRAL]

I got a 79' xs650, I was told the starter was bad and would need replaced when I bought it. I have since broken down the bike and removed the starter... However I have been wondering what if the starter is not bad, but the wiring or another component was the problem.
Is there a way to test the starter unit before buying a new one?

 

[Bozz]

Well, one way is to grab a battery and some jumper cables and hit it with voltage and see if it spins.


However, it is possible for a starter to still spin when disassembled and not be up to the task when installed.


Worn brushes and/or bushings and/or bearings can be a problem while it may still be able to "run" in your hand.


Another thing to question when a P.O. tells you the starters dead is "which piece of the starting system is dead?"


Starter clutches can and do occasionally get worn/fail, and if your bike uses a chain between the starter motor and the starter clutch, that can mean drama as well.


The good news is that even if a part of your starter system is toast, used parts are often all it needs so you don't necessarily need to pay high dollar to fix them.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

A word of caution:
When you apply power to a starter on the bench, it can jump off the bench and land on your foot. Those things produce a lot of torque, and the momentary torque of it spinning up the armature can make it do some impressive dancing.

 

[frogman]

Why does that sound like it happened once ADC? ;D

 

[teazer]

I played that movie at our place once or twice. Those puppies can kick.

It's not dangerous - just embarrassing. And if it lies there all limp and just barely turns over, it's not going to work on your bike and needs to be repaired or replaced. Usually it's just bad contacts or worn brushes and maybe teh commutator needs to be cleaned and undercut.

 

[Big R]

Ha! Been there myself.........it's amazing how quickly a live electric motor can scare the crap out of you........

I can't speak for the XS, but the service manual for my GR lists a lot of things to physically check on the starter motor. More dimensions than anything.

 

[Frog]

I know they are dying breed in the UK but most towns had a shop that rewound/repaired and tested starters at a fraction of the cost of a new one, I assume it's the same in the US, clutch and bushes are the usual suspects.

 

[Fox]

A word of caution:
When you apply power to a starter on the bench, it can jump off the bench and land on your foot. Those things produce a lot of torque, and the momentary torque of it spinning up the armature can make it do some impressive dancing.

+1

I always get a good laugh out of your posts ADC. Good stuff.

 

[midgtmn]

As someone else posted, check other aspects of the electrical system. Does the lighting on the bike turn on with the key at all? If everything besides the starter system works electrically, then another good spot to check is the starter button itself. Spray it down with electrical contact cleaner and check it with a multimeter for function is where I would start.