Starter Motor Rebuildable?

What is the condition of the existing brushes and nose bearing? If everything is still okay I'd just reuse what you have. I recently went through the starter on my 750 and was able to reuse everything. The commutator on my rotor was concave too and I fixed it on a lathe. If you need parts one good company to deal with is Stockers. They are a starter motor specialist. Their kits look similar to some others on the market but still.... They are sort of like Rick's who specializes in stators. Tried and true companies to deal with.

After reading through this topic, I googled Kz1000 starter motor rebuild kit. The same amazon links popped (a few on fleabay too) on the search.. sooo I read a few of the product reviews , and one 2 star review stuck in my mind.. It reads something like: "Nice kit, lots of new parts, none of which fit my bike." LOL

Buyer beware. I think gateway electronics sells carbon brushes loose, they can be cut / ground / shaped to fit. This isn't rocket surgery.

I agree with nessism, if all the bearings are good, and you clean up /true the commutator, you should be GTG.

Thanks all. I do have the DB Electronics kit on order. Reviews all seem pretty favorable for their stuff.

As far as the condition of the brushes, they are pretty well shot. One had a chunk broke off of the back side and another was barely hanging onto the wire. Just a few strands were still attached. Bearings all feel smooth. No roughness or play. Just really dirty inside the starter and the bushings are pretty much toast. I cleaned up the contacts on the armature and shall see if it works when the rebuild kit gets here.

I've got many years of experience in the automotive service field and much of my youth was spent tinkering with dirt bikes. I started with a true basket case 2-stroke minibike when I wasn't even 12. Surprised my dad and friends when I had it running without much trouble.

Seth82KZ750HLTD wrote: Thanks all. I do have the DB Electronics kit on order. Reviews all seem pretty favorable for their stuff.

As far as the condition of the brushes, they are pretty well shot. One had a chunk broke off of the back side and another was barely hanging onto the wire. Just a few strands were still attached. Bearings all feel smooth. No roughness or play. Just really dirty inside the starter and the bushings are pretty much toast. I cleaned up the contacts on the armature and shall see if it works when the rebuild kit gets here.

I've got many years of experience in the automotive service field and much of my youth was spent tinkering with dirt bikes. I started with a true basket case 2-stroke minibike when I wasn't even 12. Surprised my dad and friends when I had it running without much trouble.

The DB kit does look like the better kit of the two. It sounds like you will have no problem fixing this starter, especially with your automotive background, and your history on motorcycles.. It sounds a lot like my own, I had a dead moped when I was 8-10 years old, went on to the us military mechanic / college automotive course / several dealerships, etc. with many many project bikes in the past. I hated actually working as a mechanic full time through, always greasy hands, solvent and gas smell on clothes, keys, light switches and door handles always greasy. the rag in your back pocket helps a little.. it is an acquired taste for sure. This is why I went back to school for a career change into electronics..

Please take pics and share your advice on the kit it's self. Quality, fit, function. It is always good to read and see some actual experience with the aftermarket parts available for these old muscle bikes.

I will try to take pictures as I go. I've already cleaned up the armature and have the starter fully disassembled. Sadly, the rebuild kit won't show until tomorrow. Hopefully it arrives earlier in the day, I can get the starter all reassembled, installed in the bike, add some gas and it'll fire right up. I can be optimistic, right? Bike has been sitting since 2014 in a shed/garage. Thinking it was parked because the starter went out on it. Everything else is in good condition. Although he bypassed the fuses for the headlight and brake like circuit. Fuse case was melted so I'm just replacing the case with 3 in-line fuse holders.

WOW, pics! I SEE said the blind man! lol

It's great that you have a lathe, but that commutator looks cooked. It may last a little while, but you can see on the brass, that the bad brushes took their toll from arcing across the segments. It may be best to start looking for a replacement armature before it finishes off the rest. Just a suggestion.

Yeah, I want to get it running first before I start putting that kind of money in to it. There's still a lot of dust and grime all over the armature and the rest of the starter that I have yet to clean off. Realized I don't have any electrical/brake cleaner at the moment. Need to pick up a can or two tomorrow.

Had my eye on this but it got away.
Steve

Identical to the kit I received. Only difference is mine is a 4 brush starter. Same packaging and everything.

Looks identical to the packaging I got.

Got the starter all cleaned up and reassembled. It works. Installed the starter and everything sounds good. Got it to fire and pop a little, but no more. Carbs are pulled and on the bench partially disassembled. Cleaning all the jets and slides. Freed up the float valves as well. Yes, I know I should do a full rebuild on them, but seeing what I can get away with.