Starter Squeal

[Eastcoaster]

My starter is really beginning to squeal quite loudly when the bike starts.
So far it starts fine.
Is there a bearing I can replace?
Lubricate something?
Or should I replace it all together? Is there a good source for new starters?
My fear it is going to get worse.

[phatts27]

I have the starter from both of your SH's. I'm pretty sure xs1100 starters are all the same. No problem for me to give one or both back.

[Eastcoaster]

Ed Do they even turn? They were both in the deep 6 (nautical expression). I would have thought as crusty as what we saw with the rest of the bike.
How is the build coming?

[rover]

starter

XS850 and 750 should fit also. The 850 has the same part number.

[phatts27]

Ed Do they even turn? They were both in the deep 6 (nautical expression). I would have thought as crusty as what we saw with the rest of the bike.
How is the build coming?

I never checked them to see if they work. They looked pretty good but the rest was covered in barnacles!

Some progress made. I got the carbs looking spiffy bit I'm still waiting on those air jets to bolt everything back together.

I'll check out those starters tomorrow.

[BA80]

If your trying to start it in 6 feet of snow and near 0 temps your lucky if it engages at all. The cold makes the starter clutch squeal pretty good.

[phatts27]

Starter #1 is a no go. I'll dig up #2 and see what's what.

[trbig]

It's a pretty simple fix. Take off your starter. Remove the two long Phillips screws going down each side of the starter. Don't worry, nothing is spring loaded or going to jump out at you. Just pay attention to how it's situated though, as there's a notch you have to line up to get back together. Remove the cover that is opposite the end that goes into the engine case with the gear. (The end you see on the outside) You'll see a round nub of metal on the starter and the hole it spins in on the cap. This is the "Bearing" for that end of the spinning starter. It gets dry and sounds like a dying goose. Put a dab of grease on that nub.. not a lot.. you don't want it slinging grease around inside.. and slap it back together. Problem solved.

[Radioguylogs]

I'm with Tod,.. except why not clean and lube the planetary gears at the other end since you would already have it apart? It's really easy to remove and service the XS11 starter.

Bonus- can clean the commutator with fine sandpaper (600ish).

I had an XS750 starter that made a ZZZZZTT sound. I replaced the starter clutch, and the replacement clutch slipped. Replaced the clutch again. Still squealed. It was the lubrication inside the starter motor.

[mrhammer2u]

EC,
I had a propane heater on my scoot for about 20 min today. Fired right up with the slightest touch of the button. Could just be too cold.

[Eastcoaster]

The Goose is greased

The Goose is greased not a squawk!
Thanks!!!

[IanDMacDonald]

It's a pretty simple fix. Take off your starter. Remove the two long Phillips screws going down each side of the starter. Don't worry, nothing is spring loaded or going to jump out at you. Just pay attention to how it's situated though, as there's a notch you have to line up to get back together. Remove the cover that is opposite the end that goes into the engine case with the gear. (The end you see on the outside) You'll see a round nub of metal on the starter and the hole it spins in on the cap. This is the "Bearing" for that end of the spinning starter. It gets dry and sounds like a dying goose. Put a dab of grease on that nub.. not a lot.. you don't want it slinging grease around inside.. and slap it back together. Problem solved.

Any chance of getting a pic of that Lube point??? Thanks.

[trbig]

Any chance of getting a pic of that Lube point???

I forgot.. there's an o-ring on that cap when you take it off, so just be careful with that.

[oldyam80sg]

With the howling wind in N.J., I went to my Moms house where i keep both bikes in the winter time.Both bikes fired right up.I do keep Marine StaBil in the tanks all winter long and keep a supply of fresh gas on hand.The XS just seems to take longer to catch in the cold weather.

[IanDMacDonald]

Thanks! Added to the to-do list.