[Perks]

Replace the starter on my gl1200 with a new one everything is back right but I am getting a knock in back of the motor did not do the before any help would be great. By the way it is a 1986 gl1200

 

[DaveO430]

There is just nothing about changing a starter that could cause a knock. What were the circumstances for replacing the starter originally?

 

[Perks]

The starter is the original one and was wore out it had over250,000 miles on it.

 

[Ken Bergen]

The starter is the original one and was wore out it had over250,000 miles on it.

The life a starter is not counted in miles but starts.

If you ride "Iron Butt" and only restart after fuel stops the starter will last almost for ever.

If on the other hand you make several two mile trips to Dairy-queen each day it may not last 100,000 miles.

 

[Bike...and Dennis]

Welcome to the forum, Perks.
That's a mess o' miles on a starter.
The only thing that starter touches is the starter clutch. It's connected to the rest of the bike with a small chain. Maybe one of the guru types would know, but I wonder. With that many miles, could the chain wear enough to start slapping something?

 

[Perks]

I am not sure how it was rode before I got it but as for last year I put over 6000 miles on it and sometimes it would drag but heat soaked it always would but it never made the motor make the noise it is making now.

 

[Perks]

Can I have the starter in to far ,before I tighten the bolts I pushed the starter in as far as it would go. It does have a little play to it.

 

[luvmyhotrod]

is it only at idle or does it go away at higher RPM's

 

[Ken Bergen]

Can I have the starter in to far ,before I tighten the bolts I pushed the starter in as far as it would go. It does have a little play to it.

No, as long as the starter output splines mesh with the drive sprocket and the mount bolts line up that is not the problem.

 

[Perks]

It would get lower as rpm increase loud at idle .

 

[Bike...and Dennis]

Are you sure it's not a sync knock?

 

[glhonda]

The only thing that starter touches is the starter clutch.

The starter is splined to the drive gear in the engine. It's connected to the driven gear by a chain. The starter does not contact the starter clutch assy.
As Dave said, there is nothing back there to screw up.
Except, in '86, Honda added a plastic chain guide around the chain. It's possible you knocked it out of position reinstalling the starter motor, but not too likely. In any event, that would require engine removal to correct.

 

[luvmyhotrod]

check to see if all heder pipes are hot (fireing on all 4) I heve seen a ruff running engine make the drive gear's on the starter clutch/altinater shaft, make anocking sound.

 

[luvmyhotrod]

Check to see if all the headers are hot (Fireing on all4) I have seen poor running engine make the gears that run the starter clutch/altinater shaft make a knocking sound.especilly with that manny miles on it.

 

[luvmyhotrod]

Why dident it post the 1st time?

 

[Perks]

I am going to take a closer look at today I will post what I find thanks for every ones help.

 

[DaveO430]

Another maybe is the rotor bolt in the rear of the stator housing may be loose letting the rotor rattle on the shaft. Or if by chance you took the exhaust loose to change the starter it could be an exhaust leak.

 

[Big Cahuna]

With the amount of miles on the bike, I would be willing to say the chain the starter turns to start the motor,has alot of slack in it and is hitting the sides of the case. If the original gear was used, it might have worn down to the point its allowing more slack in the chain. Chains stretch, but when the motor speeds up, the chain tightens so its not noticeable.,,

 

[DaveO430]

With the amount of miles on the bike, I would be willing to say the chain the starter turns to start the motor,has alot of slack in it and is hitting the sides of the case. If the original gear was used, it might have worn down to the point its allowing more slack in the chain. Chains stretch, but when the motor speeds up, the chain tightens so its not noticeable.,,

The starter chain does not turn when the engine is running, only when the starter is turning.

 

[Big Cahuna]

The starter chain does not turn when the engine is running

I never said it did. Vibration from the motor can cause the chain to tighten up and loosen up. Like how you can hear a sound at some rpms, but nothing at others.,,