Starter lube?

Post by **zeke** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 5:19 pm

So I cleaned out the starter a few months back...resolved that nasty screeching sound. Things ran great for the few days I rode after the cleaning, but the bike has been up on blocks over the winter. I went to take the bike out since it was pretty warm. Battery cranks, but the starter just clicks. Do I need to lube it? If so what kind?
Thanks.
Zeke

Post by **AndyRR** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:54 am

A clicking starter is a sure sign of a weak battery. Charge it then try again.

Post by **Boxer** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:26 pm

I always lube my starter with this...

Post by **owldaddy** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:33 pm

I see you use the good stuff Boxer

Post by **zeke** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:19 pm

That is some quality lube pictured.
The battery is a new and has been on a trickle charger over the last few months. I wish I could upload the sound the the starter is making. Seems like the engine/starter crank normally for a few seconds then there is just a clicking sound and everything stops. I dunno, sort of sounds like something gets stuck and does not want to continue to rotate, thus creating this clicking noise.
Heading outta town in the next couple of days so I cannot resolve this now, I'll have a project to look forward to upon my return.
Thanks, Zeke

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:26 pm

Everyone's a comedian.

Lube for the starter

Moly PASTE. You can get it from a Honda motorcycle shop. I think it's 60%. Not the 4% stuff.

John

vexlak · Post by **vexlak** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:57 am

It still sound like your battery is not strong enough. I had ones Odyseey battery gone bad (and replaced for free) in a year. Or maybe your connectors on the battery are loose or oxidized. Good cleaning is suggested.
The other option is that your starter is weak and it needs to be replaced.
It is fairly simple procedure, just please make sure that you disconnect your battery before you start working on it.

Post by **zeke** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 5:04 pm

We are up and running!! The culprit....wait for it....the crappy battery tender I purchased. It indicated the battery was charged, but in reality not so much. I have been housing my buddy's HD over the winter and she has using an HD tender. Figured rather than tearing things down to service the starter, pop a different tender on the bike. 24 hrs later, starts up fine. Next step better battery tender. Thanks for the assist!

Post by **AndyRR** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:32 pm

Had the same problem with a Harbor Freight POS I thought I was getting a good deal on. "Battery Tender" brand aren't the only good chargers out there, but they are very good. I tried several "cheap" chargers before, but none since. $40 at compacc.com

Mr Knox · Post by **Mr Knox** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:04 pm

Greetings
First time posting. The question of a clicking starter on my 03 R1150R has plagued me for about 5yrs, been through 4 new batteries thinking that was the problem.
After reading posts the question of a dirty starter came up. After striping the starter I found the cover plate separating the reduction gears from the motor had come loose and got attracted to the magnets causing the armature insulation to get worn off and short out the motor, draining the battery in 3 cranks. Made a plastic cover and it's working perfectly again.
Has anyone else has this problem?

Post by **towerworker** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:14 am

zeke wrote:We are up and running!! The culprit....wait for it....the crappy battery tender I purchased. It indicated the battery was charged, but in reality not so much. I have been housing my buddy's HD over the winter and she has using an HD tender. Figured rather than tearing things down to service the starter, pop a different tender on the bike. 24 hrs later, starts up fine. Next step better battery tender. Thanks for the assist!

PLEASE DON'T use a HD Tender!!!!! They have been known to ruin the antifreeze in the R's radiators. Very costly repair.

Wayne

Post by **zeke** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:15 am

So MOLY paste has proven difficult to locate, at least according to the places I have called locally. One guy comment that that lubricant is used alot in air guns. Well I have a few real guns so my question is can I use some of that oil on the starter? I currently use Mil-spec brand gun oil which works pretty well. I suppose in theory it should work, but figured I would ask around be slapping in on there and installing the starter. Thoughts?

Post by **Keppelj** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:46 am

I think gun oils (Rem oil, Break Free, etc) would be too thin to be useful long on the starter mechanism. I used a thin coat of lithium grease on mine a couple years ago and it's still working.

Post by **owldaddy** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:46 am

Keppelj wrote:I think gun oils (Rem oil, Break Free, etc) would be too thin to be useful long on the starter mechanism. I used a thin coat of lithium grease on mine a couple years ago and it's still working.

I have to agree Keppelj, I'd use something heavier in body. I would use a good engine assembly lube. Some have a high moly content.

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:40 pm

zeke wrote:So MOLY paste has proven difficult to locate, at least according to the places I have called locally. One guy comment that that lubricant is used alot in air guns. Well I have a few real guns so my question is can I use some of that oil on the starter? I currently use Mil-spec brand gun oil which works pretty well. I suppose in theory it should work, but figured I would ask around be slapping in on there and installing the starter. Thoughts?

Have you been to a Honda motorcycle shop?
They sell it; if you're looking elsewhere it is hard to find

a honda shop

Post by **garr2** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:00 pm

I had trouble getting the Honda Moly 60 paste too - my local Honda shop hadn't heard of it and couldn't find it in any of their catalogues.
I ended up getting it from this US ebay site http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Genuine-Pro- ... 1856wt_882
Or get onto ebay and search for Honda moly paste to find the best deal.
Delivered to your door!

I had a screeching starter a few months back.
I used the Honda moly to lube it after a clean and it's been fine ever since.

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:45 pm

glad you found it. A honda dealer in town knew exactly what I wanted and came back in a second with it. Not over $10 iirc.

Don't be surprised if the starter starts making noise again. Mine has had two or three lubes thus far, but I am accustonmed to the noise now and knowing what it is, it bothers me less. I know that it means that it is wearing so I am following the sound's progress.

Post by **zeke** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:12 pm

the local advance auto had the lithium grease so I threw that on there. Seems work for the moment. I'll put that moly past link onto the back burner in case the starter acts up again in the near future.

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