MK3 starter slipping

Hi Lads,

Upgraded the starter motor & starter cables last summer & everything seemed OK, still needed to give it a slight kick in combo with the starter but I put that down to the battery.

I've been prepping the Norton for the summer & I'm finding the starter is slipping a lot, maybe 70% of the time.

I'm going to strip all the gears out & check the specs etc.

Do I need any special pullers/tools to get all the gubbins for the starter system out?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

Hi mate

You don't need anything special to get into the sprag gear which may be the problem unless it's something in the starter its self
As I was advised it is also wise to check your anti backfire mechanism while you are at it. This is a common cause for the sprag to fail
Check out my post under WIRING TO KILL SWITCH MK 111 NORTON and you may find some useful info
The biggest problem I had getting the nut on the stator shaft to undo was stopping the back wheel from turning as the brake was not working properly
there may be some useful pics on my blog by clicking the link below and scanning the archive as I have just pulled the primary gear to bits
It looks a bit daunting but really is not that hard

Things to watch are the chain tensioner needs to be put back exactly as it is, ie top and bottom shafts as is facing the same way. They will want to pop out when the chain comes off and you won't know what goes where
Also if the sprag has collapsed it can apparently be straightened but may happen again as wear on the bush and cog could have contributed to the failure
If it is broken then $$$$$$
Cheaper to get one from England than the US

Some kick the bike over (gently) a couple of times before switching on the ignition which frees things up before engaging the starter
From what I am finding it's probably best to kick the bike when possible unless like me your knees etc aren't what they used to be
The starters an these bikes are temperamental to say the least

Cheers and good luck

Jed

click said:

I'm going to strip all the gears out & check the specs etc.

Do I need any special pullers/tools to get all the gubbins for the starter system out?

Click to expand...

As Jed says, getting to the sprag isn't a problem, however the crankshaft will probably prevent you from accurately measuring the outer sprag bearing track with the engine sprocket in situ, so if you want to check it, you will need the engine sprocket puller and clutch diaphragm spring compressor.

Low voltage can also lead to sprag failure I believe so you need to have a good battery and trickle charge would be an advantage also

Jed said:

some useful pics on my blog by clicking the link below and scanning the archive

Click to expand...

Nice Blog Jed

I find if you wrap some electric tap around the plungers it helps hold the chain tensioner together.

Phil