Starter making grinding noise but battery is fine

[Hans_Airhead]

Hello Everyone,

I hope you can help me as I am a proud owner of a 1976 R90/6.
The bike is in near mint condition, but has intermittent problems with starting. Since it does not have a kickstarter, I would hate to be stuck someplace or have to leave my bike.

Occasionally it makes a almost grinding noise when I push the starter and then it will start right up. At first I thought it was a battery problem but after charging the battery, it still has the same problem.

My friend said that it is probably the flywheel not lining up after I turned the nine off, so all I should do is roll the bike a bit and it should start up. Sure enough it worked great until last night. The bike would make the same noise, so I would roll it and it wouldn't start. It kept on grinding, then grinding and almost starting...after 15 minutes of turning the ignition key off and trying to re-start it fired up.

Does anyone know how to eliminate this problem? Do you think it's the flywheel? If it's the flywheel, then how do I fix it so it no longer does this. or do you think it's entirely a different issue?

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Han

[Garnet]

First, have the battery tested on a proper load tester to make sure that it is capable of at least 180 cranking amps. Then check both battery cables to make sure you have no voltage drop between the battery and starter.

Then remove the starter and inspect the drive on the starter and the ring gear on the flywheel. The starter drive is not expensive and can be replaced by a handy person or any electrical rebuilder.

The engine normally always stops in one spot everytime it is shut off. If need be you could pull off the flywheel and rotate it on the crank. You would then have to apply new timing marks. Time consuming but does not cost anything.

[robert]

First, have the battery tested on a proper load tester to make sure that it is capable of at least 180 cranking amps. Then check both battery cables to make sure you have no voltage drop between the battery and starter.

Then remove the starter and inspect the drive on the starter and the ring gear on the flywheel. The starter drive is not expensive and can be replaced by a handy person or any electrical rebuilder.

The engine normally always stops in one spot everytime it is shut off. If need be you could pull off the flywheel and rotate it on the crank. You would then have to apply new timing marks. Time consuming but does not cost anything.

You could just rotate the ring gear on the flywheel, its not difficult.

[Deleted User 72]

Also, once you get it started tune it up VERY well so that it starts on the first kick rotation. Get that timing spot on and the idle mixture just right.

[Hans_Airhead]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the help!!

[Bob Bennett]

G'day Hans, I had a similar sounding problem a couple of years ago, it turned out to be the bendix drive bushes.
read all about it here, http://boxerworks.com/forum2/viewtopic. ... endix+gear