New Kid writin bout starter...

[Day by Day]

Hello all,

Glad to find this site. I hope people hear about it and it picks up.  Maybe I hope it doesn't pick up.  Too much traffic ain't good, both metaphorically and otherwise.

Well, I have a 1981 750 Custom.  I sure enjoy riding her.
Used to take 7-8-9 times of cranking to start up.  (Electric starter, no kick start)
Now, she won't start up unless I push her down the hill around the block (which I first have to push up the hill...by the way, my chest still burns).

Has new battery, new spark plugs...my next guess is starter??
Anything anyone can suggest besides buying a new starter??  

If anyone does reply, I don't mind any extra mechanical detail you may add.  I'm not a dummy (some may beg to differ) but a bunch of abbreviated shop talk won't help me much, I figure.

Muchas gracias

[gignacr]

Hi,

Does the motor turns when you it the starter button? If not, could be the brushes(in the starter) that need to be changed.

Good luck.

Roland
Montreal

[ohara]

don't know if i can help, but i have a 80 custom with starting trouble. when it will crank it cranks right up.  now is your bike not starting or not cranking?  mine will not crank, push the button and nothing.  i know that it is electrical and will start tracing the wiring and components to find.  if yours will not start make sure the choke is working as is it should.  these old bikes have a hard time starting without the choke when they are cold.  do you have a manuel.  if not get one.  from re-reading your post it might sound like we have similiar problems.  possibles: bad wire, bad starter relay,  bad clutch switch, bad nuetral switch, bad connection.  when i figure out my trouble i will post.  you could try jumping across the relay and see if it will start, but don't buy a bunch of highdollor starter without bench testing it and maybe checking brushes, bushings yourself.  you may have fixed yours already, i just noticed the date on your post.  anyway happy riding.

[machine head]

aside from buying a new starter you could take it to a local starter repair shop they might be able to fix it somewhat cheap if not try ebay you can get one there.