Bike not starting....possible starter?

[VN1500]

I hear ya... Got a kicker on my W-650, had one on my SuperGlide, none on my FLT......had to get a push start, once....no problem with the Drifter...The new W-800 has injection, and no kicker, but there is a place in the case that looks like you could retrofit kicker....I had V65 SP Moto Guzzi... I asked the dealer about adding one, he asked my if my car had one....People are so lazy and disconnected now a days, they wouldn't use it, or even know what it's for...

LOL! I would have said, no my [truck] doesn't have one. But it does have a roof,& I can sleep in it if need be......

I agree about our 'throw away' society....

Ron

[Troll]

I hear ya... Got a kicker on my W-650, had one on my SuperGlide, none on my FLT......had to get a push start, once....no problem with the Drifter...The new W-800 has injection, and no kicker, but there is a place in the case that looks like you could retrofit kicker....I had V65 SP Moto Guzzi... I asked the dealer about adding one, he asked my if my car had one....People are so lazy and disconnected now a days, they wouldn't use it, or even know what it's for...

[VN1500]

Lots of 'em on eBay, for example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Electric-Starter-1999-2001-Kawasaki-VN1500-Vulcan-Nomad-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a65e8473fQQitemZ250817824575QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories. If it were mine (I had this kind of problem on my FLT) I would take it apart and clean up the commutator and put it back, can hurt to try, before the mail order expense....

Thanks Troll.

I did & it spins, but very rough,noisy, & the brushes are worn.

I travel allot alone,..so fuel injection & all....I'd rather spend a few bucks than get caught in tobacco-spit Kansas on a Sun Morn......if ya get my drift

Dumbest thing they ever did was eliminating the kicker...altogether......

Ron

[Troll]

Lots of 'em on eBay, for example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Electric-Starter-1999-2001-Kawasaki-VN1500-Vulcan-Nomad-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a65e8473fQQitemZ250817824575QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories. If it were mine (I had this kind of problem on my FLT) I would take it apart and clean up the commutator and put it back, can hurt to try, before the mail order expense....

[VN1500]

Nope, mine is just the same as yours. This seems to be a common problem, though. There is no starter solenoid, so it's tough to bypass anything...that's mainly what I was asking about.

I see,

The reason I jumped in was a no start on [my] Drifter. This afternoon i went out & started checking mine. All the steps discussed here. Bottom line?... strong current 12.4 V at the starter. So I slipped it out,outside ground still 12.4 V [no spin]....took off the end cap & it was rust city....locked up starter....Drat!

I got caught in a duck drowner two years ago in Fla,..my feet were under water,..I don't think it ever really dried out after that.

Anyone know of a source other than Ron Ayers......$310.35...Ouch!..And they're not really fast on delivery.

Ron

[Troll]

Nope, mine is just the same as yours. This seems to be a common problem, though. There is no starter solenoid, so it's tough to bypass anything...that's mainly what I was asking about.

[VN1500]

Check the wires under the clutch perch to be sure that they are securely plugged in. What "solenoid" did you bypass? There is a relay but no real solenoid in this system. Out front, under the radiator is the heavy power lead attached to the starter motor. The starter uses a one way clutch, and gear reduction.

Hey Troll. On my Drifter,& Nomad..when I unplug the clutch switch, the start button is just 'dead' / silent? When it is plugged in,  it activates the relay 'click' & starter.....is yours different?
Ron

[Troll]

Check the wires under the clutch perch to be sure that they are securely plugged in. What "solenoid" did you bypass? There is a relay but no real solenoid in this system. Out front, under the radiator is the heavy power lead attached to the starter motor. The starter uses a one way clutch, and gear reduction.

[Crash13]

Hello.  I've never posted here before so consider this my greetings to you all and an introduction....with a question    I have a 2003 1500 that will not start.  I turn the ignition on, hit the switch and hear nothing but a bunch of clicks.  The battery has full charge and all fuses are fine.  Checked connections and they all appear to be tight.  I figured maybe it was the solenoid that had gone bad but when I bypassed the solenoid with a pair of plyers all the lights shut off and it sounded as if the starter was grunting but would not turn over.  I'm not the most mechanically inclined person but is it safe to assume since bypassing the solenoid did not make it fire right up that it is the starter that bit the dust?  Please help!