Endurast Starter vs Motrrad Electrick's Nippondenso

[Jeff in W.C.]

OK, I was just looking around for other parts for the refresh of my 88 R100 RT and noticed that Motorrad Elekrik's replacement starter is http://www.motoelekt.com/starter.htm about 3x as expensive as Euromotorrad Electric's https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/Start ... w-str1.htm. At 35 years old, my starter still works, and could last another 35 years or give up the ghost tomorrow. And, I'm in no rush to replace it. I've heard nothing but good things about the Nippondenso starter from Motorrad Elekrik, but I'm curious what people's experience has been with EME's replacement starter.

[gspd]

If your bike literally starts 'first kick', as any properly set up airhead should, pretty well any starter will do.
The thought of spending $350 US for a airhead starter (or any other starter) is ludicrous to me.
I have no negative concerns with the EME starter at $129 US but have no first hand experience with them.
The only really bad airhead starters were the OE Valeos on the later airheads, the magnets would unglue from the housings and jam everything up. That problem has long ago been rectified.

You'll know the end is near (or immediate maintenance is required) when you hear a duck-like 'qwack' when releasing the start button.

FYI - I've installed many dozens of these https://www.denparts.ca/powersports/mot ... otorcycle/ on customer bikes over the past few decades, and as far as I know, they're all still kickin'. Never got a 'dud'. No failures or concerns ever reported. Never had to use the 1 year warranty. These are NEW, not rebuilt. Each one is individually bench tested and comes with a printed bench test performance report (for the egg head types that like this type of thing). At $99 to $129CDN ($75 to $100 USD), depending on your year and model, they're also the cheapest most inexpensive most affordable airhead starters out there. I can put a brand new starter in a customer's bike for less than it would cost to simply 'service' the old one. No affiliation, just a 1000% satisfied customer.

[Jeff in W.C.]

I have a Bosch starter in the 88 RT and it has quit yet. Yeah, there's a part of me that says a starter with a 20% less amperage draw, has 70%+ cranking torque and is new would be better than what I have. However, what I have works and I've never been stranded yet with a dead battery while out riding (of course that could change and any moment), so I'm not really looking to replace what's there at the moment. I was just curious. Thanks for your response.

[Rob Frankham]

I have a Bosch starter in the 88 RT and it has quit yet. Yeah, there's a part of me that says a starter with a 20% less amperage draw, has 70%+ cranking torque and is new would be better than what I have. However, what I have works and I've never been stranded yet with a dead battery while out riding (of course that could change and any moment), so I'm not really looking to replace what's there at the moment. I was just curious. Thanks for your response.

The good thing about the Bosch starterss is that they are easily serviced and can be rebuilt any number of times. About the only things that ever need replacing are the bushes and brushes. They only really become 'doorstops' if/when the commutator becomes worn beyond recovery and that takes a looooong time... The rebuild parts are cheap and easily obtainable. A rebuild can also restore the performance of a motor that you haven't realise has been getting slower over the last 40 odd years. The same goes for the OEM Valeo type up to a point but they are much more 'fiddly' to rebuild and you do have to watch out for the early 'glued' magnets. Replacement bodies can be obtained but that adds to the cost of the rebuild.

Yes the non OEM replacement starters are very nice but they are expensive and the stock motors (with the possible exception of those fitted originally to the /5 series) are well up to the task of starting an airhead reliably for years and years and years... if they are kept serviced.

Rob

[Jeff in W.C.]

The good thing about the Bosch starterss is that they are easily serviced and can be rebuilt any number of times. About the only things that ever need replacing are the bushes and brushes.
Rob

Years ago, I purchased a rebuild kit for the Bosch starter. I'm wondering if after the 35+ years it would be good to have the starter serviced. I don't know if it's an easy do it yourself job or not.

[Kurt in S.A.]

You might check out the utube series by MotoPhoenix on starters for some insights on what can be done:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64d7ZlERd9E

Kurt

[gspd]

The good thing about the Bosch starterss is that they are easily serviced and can be rebuilt any number of times. About the only things that ever need replacing are the bushes and brushes. They only really become 'doorstops' if/when the commutator becomes worn beyond recovery and that takes a looooong time... The rebuild parts are cheap and easily obtainable.

Many starters I've replaced were so corroded that they were no longer rebuildable, at least not at a realistic cost.
Some looked like they had been sitting in the bottom of the ocean for decades.
Sitting outside for even just one winter can ruin a lot of stuff. Sitting outside for decades ruins everything.

In the 'ol days' repairing/rebuilding starters was the norm. New ones were sometimes over $500. from BMW. In this era of 'cheaper than a rebuild kit' (if you factor in labour) complete new starters, what's the point? If you're a DIY guy, a bit of maintenance is great. If not, rather than pay a shop to service your starter, just replace it.

[Jeff in W.C.]

You might check out the utube series by MotoPhoenix on starters for some insights on what can be done:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64d7ZlERd9E

Kurt

Thanks Kurt. That just reminds me why I've never done it. I think I'll just take GSPD's advice and get a new one if and when the current starter dies.

[Kurt in S.A.]

Buy the new one and then "practice" on the old one!! Here in my town, I recall running across a small engine repair shop and they had a Bosch repair sign out front. I never checked, but I wonder what they might charge to overhaul the Bosch starter...I'm sure to them they are pretty routine.

Kurt

[Rob Frankham]

Many starters I've replaced were so corroded that they were no longer rebuildable, at least not at a realistic cost.
Some looked like they had been sitting in the bottom of the ocean for decades.
Sitting outside for even just one winter can ruin a lot of stuff. Sitting outside for decades ruins everything.

I accept that not all 40 year old Bosch starters are good candidates for rebuild but, if it has been looked after, if the starter is till working, just a little tired or has just stopped working, a rebuild is a good, simple, cheap and viable alternative.

In the 'ol days' repairing/rebuilding starters was the norm. New ones were sometimes over $500. from BMW. In this era of 'cheaper than a rebuild kit' (if you factor in labour) complete new starters, what's the point? If you're a DIY guy, a bit of maintenance is great. If not, rather than pay a shop to service your starter, just replace it.

Not yet found a reliabe replacement starter that cheap...

Rob