Starter blues ....

[mod4]

cranks over fine 50% of the time, other times is very loud, a whiney high pitched noise and the bike cranks slow.

1994 750, approx 15,000 miles. Since it does it randomly, I ain't blaming the battery. Seems worse when motor is hot, but not always ....

opinions ?

[macgyver]

Yup sounds like the starter is going out

[Black_peter]

Actually I'm thinking clutch..
On the times it "fails"
It makes a high pitched whine?
but the engine turns over slow?

That seems to indicate that the starter is spinning
but the link to the engine (the clutch) is slipping.

[mod4]

if I get off the throttle hard enough, I get rear tire chatter, under hard acceleration in any gear I am not getting any clutch slippage .... could it still be slipping on start up?

[Black_peter]

if I get off the throttle hard enough, I get rear tire chatter, under hard acceleration in any gear I am not getting any clutch slippage .... could it still be slipping on start up?

I'm sorry dude..
I was refering to the starter clutch.
Motorcycle starters don't have a "bendix".
On a car the starter's nose gear pops out to engage the
engine when it starts spinning.
(this mechanism is called a bendix)
Motorcycles have a clutch.
If the engine is stopped the starter spins the engine.
Once the engine is spinning faster than the starter
(like once it's running) the clutch slips.
If the clutch is worn (or just loose) the starter is
not "hooking" up with the engine and is spinning free.
(making, I imagine a whineing sound)

[mod4]

would putting a different starter motor cure it, or am I looking for a totally different part?
found a used starter on ebay ....

also .... 1994 600 and 750, same starter ?

[Black_peter]

I don't think the clutch is part of the starter..
Also the starter is a PIA to change..
The book says:
Remove wire.
Remove to bolts secureing starter.
Tilt starter and pull out..

What they don't say is that the only way to get at the
bolts is to remove the carbs!! Grrrr
So it may actually be easier to fix the clutch..


Picture of the clutch:

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/assets/schematics/Suzuki/SU0322_013.gif

Picture of the starter:

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/assets/schematics/Suzuki/SU0322_032.gif

[mod4]

loose bolt on the starter clutch according to the shop
fixed it at no cost (they are still making up for denting the tank .... )

[Special K]

Glad you (they) found it, and it was simple.

I've seen this same sort of thing before, only is was the starter gear and or pin loose or bad...............makes a different noise though............


Black_Peter: Those starters come out pretty easy, but def. easier when you remove the carbs! I've taken them out lots of times w/o removign the carbs.............just gotta thread that LONG phillips thru the carbs.....or use a ling extension on your ratchet and socket..........