82 GL1100 Aspencade Starter Refresh

34749 Views 91 Replies 47 Participants Last post by CrystalPistol, Dec 22, 2012

Mr Magic Fingers

Discussion Starter · Jul 1, 2009

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Hi Everyone,

I just completed a “refresh” of a really sluggish starter on my 82 Aspencade. It was sluggish at times (more times then not) and would sound like the battery was going dead. It would draw so much current that I lost my radio presets a few times. My battery is in good shape and seems to test fine on a stress test.

I had a golden opportunity to do this refresh as I was doing other work to the bike and the exhaust was off. I was staring right at it. It’s done and WOW! What a difference!! Not a hard job, no money involved for me, just my time. Here’s what I did.

First thing to note is that the bike was on the center stand. Some people say yes to this and others say no. My recommendation would be to have the bike on the center stand. This can be done with the exhaust system on but I am glad mine was off. I don’t think there would have been an issue with it on, just a bit more wrangling to get your hands in there.

VERY IMPORTANT – Remove the battery from your bike or at the very least disconnect the positive (RED) lead from the battery and TAPE it back so it can’t spring back to the battery post. No one wants a lead acid battery exploding in their face from a dead short! Safety comes first.

Here we go…

Remove the power cable that goes to the starter. VERY IMPORTANT - Make sure you use a thin end wrench to back up the lug when removing the nut from the positive lead. Ifthat bolt starts to turn it may sever the conection internaly and the starter may have to be replaced.

Remove the two bolts that mount the starter to the engine. Pull back the freed starter while wiggling it. When it is free from the engine, tilt it out and up until the starter shaft clears the engine and remove the starter. You may have to push down on the gear shift to gain a bit more room.

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mrclean

· #81 · Jan 7, 2012

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Larry Great article, actually I did read the article earlier......make a long story short....seems like the problem is the rectifier.......which a new one should be arriving Monday or Tuesday.......

Regarding the starter....since you are the expert.......I learned something......

1 my old starter was burned over heated way too much

2 when I went to install the new starter.....the new gear that rests on the chain was just a tad too big and no mater what I did the new starter would not fit.....no way.

3 solution....use the old gear from the origional starter and the new starter slid right into place on the first attempt.

Since you are the guru for the starters article.....please ad this imp piece of info to your article however you think is best.........

I really do not know much about forums and most certianly lack forum know how. Please continue to do what you do so well....thanks