Changing the starter motor

[LoftCol]

Does the engine need to be removed to replace the starter motor? I have done a little research on the internet, some people are saying yes and others are saying no. What are the thoughts on here? Thanks

[speedlimit85]

The starter motor is easy to change 10 minutes. The starter clutch ... oh boy...

[LAB3]

Here's a little friendly advice. Get a repair manual and follow what it says to do, if for some reason things aren't working out then ask for guidance here.

[cajun31]

Does the engine need to be removed to replace the starter motor? I have done a little research on the internet, some people are saying yes and others are saying no. What are the thoughts on here? Thanks

As Eric (Speedlimit) alluded to the starter is easy but the starter clutch would be a different story. Lab is correct in stating it would benefit you to get a manual. Here is one that you can download for free. Ringler.us | My Bike.

[DiverRay]

Here is the instructions for the starter motor removal. Let me know if you need more from the manual. I have it in "small" bits. XS1100E Service Man, Chapter 3-1.pdf

[LoftCol]

Thanks for the advice, I do have manual, but have found that sometimes people's experience and tips can be of greater help. I suspect that the starter clutch maybe the issue as it span without engaging the engine for the first time yesterday. It was the first cold day of the year. Then everything was ok. For those of you who live in colder climates, do you change to a thinner oil over these months and would this help? The bike has done about 44,000 miles. Thanks again

[speedlimit85]

Using conventional oil instead of synthetic helps. I also found changing the spark plug gap tp .28 the tight end of the range helps it start before it spines sometimes.

[LoftCol]

I suppose the larger spark plug gap, would also help if I used the kickstarter? Thanks

[DiverRay]

These bikes are KNOWN to spin the starter clutch in the cold. There are a few simple things you can do to keep it from happening.
1. Use light weight oil in the winter. As you are in the UK, a 10W-40 oil will work for all seasons. The high temps in the UK are not the same as the deserts in the US.
2. Use an engine flush on your next oil change to get rid of built up deposits. In the US, we have Berryman's B12 Chemtool that I like to use. I put 1/2 cup in warm oil, and the start the bike and let it idle for two minutes before draining the oil. It cleans out all the oil passages and takes the sludge out with the oil. DO NOT REV OR RIDE with the Berryman's in the engine.
It's been too many years, but I have traveled to the UK for work two or three times.

[LoftCol]

Hi , Thanks again for the tips. Coincidentally it was about this time last year and probably similar temperatures, when it was in the workshop having some new tyres fitted when the mechanic mentioned the starter spinning. It has never happened since, so I didn't think anymore about it until the other day. A quick look on the internet, Berrymans B12 is available here, but it seems to be a carb cleaner . Is that what you mean? Cheers

[DiverRay]

Yes, not the spray, but you should be able to buy a pint can of it. As I said, the big thing is the oil viscosity, and using 10-40 instead of the 20-50 used in most places.
What part of the UK is home for you?