J Model Starter Probelm

Posted this in the "other forum" also, so pardon the duplication.

Morning boys. Took the J out for a "long" ride of about 50 miles yesterday. Ran well generally, but...there is often times a "but" with these old scoots, but (there we go again) it's part of the fun. Stopped at a Ducati dealership (maybe THAT's the problem), looked around a bit, and pushed the starter button. Starter turned but then seemed to skip a turn and then turned again. Reminded me of a lose connection, but all appears OK on that front. Let it sit a minute and then it fired up perfectly. Ran around some more, made a few stops, and it fired up fine. Got it in the garage, shut it down, and decided to try it again. Same problem. Let it sit a second and bingo, fired up perfectly. Any thoughts? Than you.

Considering the age of our older bikes and how many times they've been started since new, I'd suppose the motor brushes are worn and the commutators need recutting and cleaning.

I'd do this first: clean all related electrical contacts and connectors before tearing into the starter motor. Look inside the right handlebar switch pod and see if the contacts are clean and in good shape. Check all heavy gauge battery cables being clean and tight. Look at the Negative(BLACK) terminal going to the engine block again for being clean and tight.

If you can bridge the two larger terminals on the starter solenoid(follow the Positive (RED) cable) with a pair of pliers and the bike turns over with the key on and runs. I'd suspect the starter solenoid as suspect.

If it still acts this way after jumping the terminals, then the starter motor might need inspection and cleaning.


Here's a website for starter motor rebuild kits:
www.cyclewareables.com/pages/street_star...kits/startmtrkit.htm

Thanks Mike. Will need to sort through it as you suggest.