78 - Starting Lag Problem

[cameron987]

I have a 1978 GL1000 with a starting problem.

Upon the first start -- it fires up just fine, no problem at all. But, if the next time I try to start it -- say, after getting gas -- the starting turnover seems to lag. There are long hesitations between engine turns. The only way I can describe it is it sounds like the battery is super low or dying. However, that can't be the case because if I let the bike sit for a couple hours and start it back up for the first time again, it turns over just fine with full power.

It seems to me that it must be some kind of electrical problem, but just wondering if you all had any insight or if you've dealt with a similar problem in the past.

Here are links to two videos so you can hear the problem for your yourself.

First Start - https://photos.app.goo.gl/wTPQV6RLvDDnjy4cA

Subsequent Start - https://photos.app.goo.gl/kZJNKEVaHdcddcQQ9

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Fred Camper]

That sounds like a starter with carbon built up inside the unit. No trouble cold, but warm the carbon build up uses current and results in the symptoms you quoted. Take off the starter and disassemble and clean out the carbon. Reassemble with no new parts and you will think you have a new starter.

[cameron987]

That sounds like a starter with carbon built up inside the unit. No trouble cold, but warm the carbon build up uses current and results in the symptoms you quoted. Take off the starter and disassemble and clean out the carbon. Reassemble with no new parts and you will think you have a new starter.

I will give that a shot. Thanks, Fred!

[dingdong]

But while you are in there, check brushes for excessive wear, burnish the commutator and clean and re lube the bearings and planitary gears. Watch where the washers are on each end of the shaft.

[Solina Dave]

Cameron.

100% on all those suggestions. I had exactly the same problem last year on my high miles '78 GL. Your bike and mine sounded just the same. I suspected the starter and opted to take the easy way out with a new Rick's starter. Problem solved. I gave the old starter to a mechanic friend and he took it apart. What a mess! It was full of carbon, the brushes were done, and there was a couple of bad spots on the commutator. He cleaned it up, and it seems to work very well, although it hasn't been in another GL yet.

Good luck.........Dave