squealing starter

[pterodactyl]

The starter on my gl500i squeals when the bike is starting. I took the starter apart and everything looks fine. Any ideas?

 

[rexsk8er]

Did you check the idler gear and the starter clutch? also, even though the bushings in the starter motor look good, without an actual measurement its hard to say one way or the other. ive seen starter motors that looked good but wouldn't produce any torque, the bushings were slightly ovaled. once torque is applied it binds. after new bushings it was fine.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Cue: Dueling Banjos

 

[pterodactyl]

Thanks, some new bushings may be what it needs. the starter clutch is actually in the flywheel housing isn't it?
dueling banjos? lol, it sounds more like nails on a chalkboard.
I think I'll put it back together and try it off the bike, then I'll know if it's the starter motor

 

[pterodactyl]

i put some grease on the bushing, and spacers. I think it's fixed for awhile. I took it out for a ride and it misses every now and again. I'll have to figure out what's causing that

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

depending upon where you put the grease...it will heat up and drip onto the contact plates....which isn't good either..that could be part of your new problem.

 

[pterodactyl]

yea i put a little in the the bushing in the end of the housing. i think the other problem has been coming on a little at a time. accelerator pump i'm thinkin. Thanks

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Yeah, that end has the copper contacts and when you spin that sucker and it heats up, grease will be ALL over that. Ask me how I know...

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

The thing to use is a little bit of black moly caliper grease. It won't melt and sling around.

Starters only have very intermittent duty, so you can sometimes get years of service from them with a worn bushing just by properly lubing it so long as it is not so worn that the armature starts dragging on the stator.