Starter trying to crank but cutting out

[StewartR]

So as a little background, my storm has a 3 month old Yuasa that lives on an Optimate. It has been a tiny bit hesitant to start now and then but nothing to make me worry. I rode to Snowdonia from Hampshire Friday and it was fine, it was worryingly hesitant Saturday AM but then fine for the rest of the day and then Sunday...I rode form near Dolgellau, up to Capel Curing and then took the twisties in the lashing down rain (got to love those Michellin Pilot Road 3s ) back through Dolgellau where I refuelled and she started fine. Cracked on down past Rhayader, and refuelled just before getting onto the M4 for the final blast home and....nothing. Well, she cranked but gave up after a fraction of a second.

So from previous car based experience I'd say it was a fubar starter drawing too much for the battery to cope - any thoughts form you fine folk? And any way to test the theory?

Oh, and I was in Wales for a trail marathon Saturday and then went up the very steep east ridge of Moel Siabod Sunday - you can imagine how thrilled I was about the propspect of bumping a fully loaded Storm

Awesome weekend though. This was Friday evening, and it pretty much stayed like this until the weather closed in on Sunday.

[Wicky]

Noice atomic sunset

Check for loose battery terminals / and that electrical charging system connections are all clean and tight. Esp earths.

A well known problem is the OEM R/R (unfinned '97-'01)- look at upgrading it to a later upgraded finned version or better still a Mosfet R/R.

Check the starter motor for a corroded terminal - should be kept greased up under the rubber hood.

[macdee]

What sort of R/R have you on the bike my bike did the same before the standard R/R fried itself
Try another battery to see how that performs
Check the connection to the starter under the rubber boot

[StewartR]

Hi guys, should have said, the RR has been replaced with a finned one. That was the first mod I did after I joined this forum

I'll get the boot off and give that connector a check and clean. She doesn't get out in the rain much but my car has been off the road so for the last week she's been rolled out for the commute. That plus a solid 4+ hours riding in the rain yesterday and a bad connection makes a lot of sense. I'll check that and if I still have a problem will try the old RR and then an alternate battery.

I'll report back tonight...unless it's still heaving down of course.

[Wicky]

the RR has been replaced with a finned one. That was the first mod I did after I joined this forum

Wise move

Where did you source the R/R replacement? cheapy chinese ebay bargain or later genuine Honda? Have you got a multimeter to check battery voltage over time?

Long term if you're trekking off a lot might be worth fitting a voltmeter

[StewartR]

The replacement RR is genuine Honda. I forget what bike it's from TBH but definitely a Honda.

I have a DVM I can use for static tests - last time I checked I was getting solid 14 and a bit volts. A permanently mounted meter seems a good thing though I wonder if I can get one that combines that and a clock and a gear indicator and...and...and

[StewartR]

I wonder how well this would hold up inside a fairing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yosoo-Thermome ... B01BTTICMI

[StewartR]

So under the boot all is grim. Didn't get it cleaned as the outer nut is done with being a nut and wants to be cut off but just a shake about and the bike starts again.

Is that just bit of M6 stud? Can I renew it and the nuts?

[Wicky]

Well & truly wombles. And just behind it are seals/fibre washers and if corrosion has spread deeper internally then it's on the way out.

Just replace it and remember to keep it vasalined up beneath the rubber hood.

Second-hand > http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CB-900- ... Sw0vBUfnWT

And for comparison...

New starter > http://www.bike-parts-honda.com/pieces- ... STORM.html

New starter cable > http://www.bike-parts-honda.com/pieces- ... STORM.html

[sirch345]

Try not to let the bolt spin when removing the rusted nuts. If it does the internal insulator can become damaged and you cannot buy replacements separately,

Chris.

[VTRDark]

Number 2 here Chris but it's probably easier to by a used starter of eBay. This drawing may help Stewart as well.
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/H ... parts.html

[StewartR]

Cheers all - got a £20 motor and cable on the way off of that ebay

[sirch345]

Number 2 here Chris but it's probably easier to by a used starter of eBay. This drawing may help Stewart as well.
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/H ... parts.html

I think you'll find No2 is just the brush set Carl, the square headed bolt in front of the brush set and the insulator which is next do not have a number for them, which afaik means you can't buy them on their own, separately,

Chris.

[VTRDark]

You may be right I just assumed it came with it as a kit looking at the price as it's not listed directly. Quite few spares when bought genuine come in a kit form.

[StewartR]

New motor arrived, fitted and working like...well like a starter motor. Thanks for all the input folks