Hi everyone again. Problem getting my Darmah to start. Brief history. I sold it to a friend in 1999 and bought it back again just before Christmas. Previous owner showed it mainly with his other bikes, rode it a few times initially (2k miles in 20yrs), tried to start it regularly but claims it was always a bad starter. I never had problems with it before so maybe it was just knack or perhaps something deteriorating which has finally died. I have had it turning over and starting on 2 or 3 occasions recently but now it refuses to turn the engine over. The only thing that happens is the Click from the solenoid. When I owned it before I had the frame and other bits powder coated so I have been all over checking for good Earths. OK, my work so far: Battery renewed and always fully charged. Starter Motor brushes/commutator cleaned/checked - all appears normal. Removed chain from Starter Motor to Engine - starter motor turns every time starter button pressed and will run normally if the button is held pressed for a few seconds. Re-connected chain from Starter Motor to Engine - nothing, just Solenoid click. Solenoid replaced by previous owner (starter problems..?), had the original checked out and marked "S". I have interchanged both and the problem remains. I have removed both Spark Plugs to see if the Starter Motor is too weak to turn over the engine against compression. The first time I tried this test a couple of weeks ago, it did. I replaced one plug at that time and it fired up and ran on one. I replaced the other plug and back to the problem - just solenoid operating. I know Duke's have a bad reputation for electrics but in the 16yrs I owned it before never a problem. As mentioned before, I personalised it by colour change and ensured good earth connections where applicable. Although sometimes it had a mind of it's own when starting it always fired up after a few curses flooding both carbs until petrol everywhere presented a serious fire risk...but that's my Duke, but it never let me down to the point of refusing to turn over even with jump leads from my car ! Apologies this is a bit long winded but I am in France with nobody to speak English to and right now I want my Mummy. Does a Starter Motor get weaker and weaker and finally die - I would have thought it either went or didn't ! Anyone any thoughts, please
salut Exige. Allez, ma femme traduire pour moi. C'est pas le langue seulement, pas des amis motard. je pleur, merde merde merde
Windings in the starter motor are probably breaking down meaning imminent full failure - I don't know how easy it will be to find a replacement?
Thanks Harry, I am suspicious of the starter as when it turns it seems a bit half-hearted - sort of "winds up" albeit quickly rather than "bursts into life". I am aware mags/dynamo's can be re-wound but starter motors ?
In theory they can but finding somewhere to do it and then the cost of a 'special' job, unless you know someone who works in a winding shop?
Alas quite far from myself ... Starters can definitely be rewound, had a beetle one done many, many moons ago. Grant
Thanks Grant. Hopefully I can find a replacement 2nd hand before it comes to that. There is a place in Oz which sells exchange re-conditioned SM's but the freight both ways may kill that off.
Try these guys: https://www.jasm.co.uk (probably your best bet) Or http://www.robsonandfrancisrewinds.co.uk
Thanks copain "Ducati Paddy" has been extremely helpful and is sending armature and stator for me to try as the fault is not really 100% identified, really decent guy and highly recommended. I am grateful for the links should it come to that.
