Worn Starter = Dead Battery?

My 1982 GPZ750 has been having carb trouble for awhile. I know this is the main reason for it having trouble starting. But recently, my starter has been making the most awful grinding noise. Must be worn out, time for a new one. However, it still starts the bike... occasionally. Most of the time, I'll press the start button and it will crank a couple times, grind, crank, then die. This is a brand new battery, installed it last week.

I know I need a new starter, but is that what's killing the battery? Also, if anyone has recommendations for starters, I'd love to hear them.

Thank you!

Note: I've been seeing a few starter threads, sorry if this is redundant.

Had a similar problem/noise with my GPZ starter motor.

After pulling it out,I found 25 years of carbon build up.
Gave it a clean out and its been working fine for the last 5 years.

That sounds like your starter clutch going bad not your starter.

That sounds like your starter clutch going bad not your starter.

Is that what's killing the battery, too? Or just the grinding?

I figured out how to phrase this question in a way that actually makes sense.

Can a worn starter (or starter clutch) put unnecessary draw on the battery?

I don't believe a worn starter clutch would cause the battery to drain since they normally just spin and make a lot of noise when they need to be rebuilt.

However, I suspect if the starter is really dirty or damaged it could draw an unusually high level of current from the battery, and that might contribute to wearing down the battery charge prematurely. Assuming your bike's starter is like mine, the circuit to it is not fused, so it can draw a lot of current before something (like the wiring to it) actually smokes. Ed

I tore the sucker apart and there is so much carbon buildup inside of the starter motor. The armature has the most buildup so I'm wondering.. can I drop the whole thing inside carb cleaner? Not the the wires and outside casing, but just the armature.

I wouldn't do that. I would try to clean it dry using a brush. Don't treat it too rough. Ed

If you use anything try some electrical contact cleaner. You can sand it with some emory paper too.

BTW, does it sound like this?

BTW, does it sound like this?

Yeah, similar to that.

So, like I said, I tore the starter motor apart. I cleaned it all up, greased it, and reinstalled it. I took the voltage of the battery: 11.5ish volts. Shouldn't it be higher? I try to start the bike: nothing. Read the voltage again: 9 volts. I left the key on: 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7.. seriously, within three seconds I was down to 7 volts. I pressed the starter again, the volt meter reads 2.7 volts. Released the starter, back to 7 then draining again.

First off, should the starter be pulling 5-or-so volts?

Second, is a headlight and four blinkers really enough to drain the battery like that??

I'd fully charge the battery, and then have it load tested(most motorcycle shops and auto parts stores can do this for you). If you can get 5 years out of a motorcycle battery, consider yourself lucky.