I was doing routine maintenance (oil & filter change etc). and fired the bike up a few times
It started with the engine cranking for a few seconds before it fired up.
It did that a few times, then the last time it made a "clattering" noise and then fired up.
The next time I went to start......it just clicked.
My first assumption.....based on the "clattering" noise was that the battery was starting to fail and was not delivering enough voltage for the starter relays / solenoids, thus the "clattering noise".
Ordered a new Motobatt battery, and while waiting for delivery I used my ST1100 Pan European for a run up the coast.
The new battery was eventually delivered, put on an initial charge (apparently not necessary, but I'm an old timer with old timer habits
) anyway, later that day the battery was fitted and with great confidence I switched on, pressed the button and.....click!My second assumption.......Starter relays A or B (I read posts on forums...I am knowledgable...sort of
)I had a bike run the next day, so off I went on the trusty ST1100 and had an enjoyable day playing in the twisty roads of the West Coast of Scotland.
I was confident in my belief about the starter solenoids (I had a a few issues with them when I rebuilt the bike after purchasing it) but managed to avoid ordering replacements until I had actually made sure they were the problem.
The next day, after doing all sorts of chores around the garden, washing the ST1100 after the play day previously, etc...I started on the Wing. Stripped off the lower panels from the top box (trunk) and the rear mud guard assembly and removed the left pannier (saddle bag).
Re-installed the battery with only the main cables attached and proceeded to test the A & B solenoids.
They worked fine.
Followed all the steps suggested by Techdude2000 and others in previous posts of the same problem and everything checked out fine.
No blown fuses, no faulty relays, correct voltage at the A & B fuses, correct voltages at the solenoid posts etc.
Everything worked......except...."click".
All the dash console lights checked out;
FI light....extinguishes..no errors.
RVS system works...press the button, relays click etc and the neutral light extinguishes and the RVS illuminates, then goes back to normal when the RVS button is released.
All indication is that everything is fine and ready to go......but..."click".
My last check was to put a jump start cable between the battery positive terminal and the "B" solenoid large nut that connects the wire to the starter. This connects the power direct, bypassing all the various systems.
It should operate....nope...I hear a click but the starter does not opeartate.
Conclusion.....starter motor is dead.
Next step is stripping the bike to remove the motor and test it on the bench.
Reading the official manual, it appears that I have to dismantle / remove the "Reverse shift arm" before unbolting the starter motor.
No problem, I can do that, but can anyone tell me why?
The bike will be dead with no electrical power etc. so I can't see what removing this does.....anybody with words of wisdom?
EDIT>>>>> Okay, bike is stripped and the tank is out, Looking at the starter motor I have answered my own question, the reverse shift arm needs to be removed to give access.
If anybody can point anything I've missed, please let me know.
I've now got to do one final check, turn the engine manually to ensure it isn't locked up (its a step in the official manual) so if anyone knows how to turn the engine without putting it in gear and rotating the rear wheel, let me know.
I'd just filled the tank from a jerrycan, so time to start siphoning fuel out of the tank, if I can remember how to do it.
Hours of fun ahead of me ....such is life.
Ride safe folks and take care
Regards
Don
