Start Problem

[bigbiesinger]

Hi I have a 86 Goldwing GL1200 thats giving me fits. My bike has 86,000 miles on it. At the end of last year's riding season when I went to start the bike the starter would click but would not turn the motor over. I replaced the battery and starter solenoid but it did not fix the problem. Being the end of the riding season I figured I would replace the starter next year. I'm not sure how I figured it out but if I put the bike in 2nd gear and pulled back hard on the handlebars and "bounce" the motor backwards two or three times. When I hit the start button it cranked over and started. At first it would only do it in the morning on the first start of the day, but got to where I had to do it about half the time when I started the bike. This year I got the bike out and dewinterized it and put about 15 miles on it when one of the cylinders let go. The bike had so much blowby that it was pushing the oil out. I could only get 60 psi on 3 cylinders and 15-20 on the other one "wet test". I found an 84 limited edition goldwing GL1200 with only 13,000 miles on it in the local classifieds for $300.00 the bike had a spark problem and the previous owner parked it out back and left it for 7 years. I swapped out the motor with my bike keeping my carbs and ignition system. Boy I tell you I was very worried when I started it up. It took about 5 min be for everything started running smooth. I started riding and it took about 10 miles before the ring started to seat. So far I have put about 150 miles on the bike and it runs great and  shifts like a dream. But today I went out and the bike started doing the same thing. The starter is the one that was on the 84. What the heck is going on. I'm worried that the starter problem had something to do with the timing belts and that's why the motor let go. I don't want the same thing to happen to this motor. Sorry for putting so much info but I doubt I will ever get a 13,000 mile motor for $300.00 and going without my bike would be detrimental to my life Thanks Big B.

[dingdong]

Sounds like you have a starter that needs rebuilding. Don't purchase a after market starter as they are mostly junk and will fail. May just need brushes but a good time to check bearings and re-lube planetary gears.

[bigbiesinger]

Thanks I was worried it was the timing belts I'll rebild it this weekend.
Thanks

[julimike54]

Have you checked to see, when it doesn't start, is the motor hydrolocked? Had this happen on mine and it wound up the carbs were leaking fuel into the pistons. Pull the spark plugs and try to start, if engine spins fine then either stuff flew out the plug holes or it didn't.

[bellboy40]

Here is a good article on how to refresh a goldwing starter. This is for a 1100 Goldwing but the 1200 is very much the same. Some good instructions and pictures.
https://www.goldwingfacts.com/starterrefresh.htm