Starter for an 88-89 gl1500 no longer manufactured.

1143 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Mel58, Sep 7, 2009

Mel53

Discussion Starter · Aug 29, 2009

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I recently had issues with my starting system. It would be very dragged to a simple click, but after 6-10 attempts, the starter would kick in. Until recently, it would always work that way when I first started it. I purchased the #1 start realay thinking that would be the problem, but it wasn't. The other day, I went to start the bike, and it just went click.. click. After some trouble shooting, I discovered that the starter was at fault because I was getting 12 VDC on the + and next to 0 Ohms on the - (Neg). I pulled the starter and ripped it apart.

The brushes were definitly at fault cause there was burnt marks at the housing and the brushes them selves were way too short. I removed the brush housing and also found that one of my rotor's commutator segment was melted. (copper piece) I also found out that the windings associated with the segment were also burnt.

I called Honda dealers and found out that they do not manufature starters for the 88 - 89 GL 1500 any more any there are no replacements, even after markets.

Does anyone know where a person might be able to get a starter for the 88 - 89 1500 GL??

Thanking you all in advance,

Me.

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GWNorman

· #2 · Aug 29, 2009

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You should get one easily Mel. The gl1500 starters rarely give problems and there is little demand for them, so there should be plenty on ebay etc.

grayglennsr

· #3 · Aug 29, 2009

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yep I would start with ebay.

You might also do a search for starter kits to rebuild your starter yourself. Its not that hard.

You might check to see if anyone in your area rebuilds starters for bikes or cars. Its pretty much the same procedure and all they need is parts.

Also check the technical documents here for any help in that direction.

Just some hopefully helpful suggestions.
Good Luck.

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Rooty Kazooty

· #4 · Aug 29, 2009

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Hey Mel, if nobody else has said it yet, WELCOME to the forum!!!! :waving::waving::waving::waving::waving::waving::waving::waving::waving::waving:

Mel53

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 30, 2009

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Checked EBay and found one. Thanks for the quick responses everyone. I definately won't be throwing the old one out. I'll keep trying to get it fixed, some how.

Very informative forum, been here for a while and always found answers to my questions until now. Never even thought of Ebay.

Thanks again.

wingsound

· #6 · Aug 30, 2009

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Whatis thedifference between the 88/89 starter and the 90 on GL1500 starter? Did you ask your dealer if brushes and parts are avail for the 88/89 starter?

nobbie

· #7 · Aug 30, 2009

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I'm not sure where you're located but Larry Scott in Milton ON might have something. His email is [email protected]

SailorKane

· #8 · Aug 30, 2009

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It is seldom necessary to get a new starter. Old ones can be rebuilt good as new. We learned that boating, sailing around the Carib and getting elec motors and starters rebuilt. In most countries there are not spares available for anything, so people rebuild them. I live in Tampa and there is a super rebuild shop nearby. He can do windings, brushes, wires, etc, etc. He has rebuilt starters, electric motors and the like for me. So, I'd certainly try that route. You can buy one on Ebay, which might be quicker and get you riding faster, then rebuild the old one for a spare or sell it on ebay as well. Or just make a phone call and visit to a rebuild shop and see what they can do.....

Mel53

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 30, 2009

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wingsound wrote:

Whatis thedifference between the 88/89 starter and the 90 on GL1500 starter? Did you ask your dealer if brushes and parts are avail for the 88/89 starter?

Looking at the manuals for each, the 88-89 has two terminals (pos & neg) and 4 sets of brushes. The 90 has one (pos) terminal and one set of brushes. I am sure if it came down to the crunch, the 90 could be used with a modified starting system on the 88-89.

My old starter is really burned, and I think, beyond repair. I did get one from EBay and it should be here in a day or two.

Mel53

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 30, 2009

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nobbie wrote:

I'm not sure where you're located but Larry Scott in Milton ON might have something. His email is [email protected]

I will keep him in mind for the future. Thanks for the info.

wingsound

· #11 · Aug 31, 2009

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Hey- that answers a question I posted a week or so ago..... I have an extra starter for a GL1500 and it has two terminals, a posi and a neg. The one on my 93 only has one terminal and I had wondered why the difference. Now I know.

ThFireman

· #12 · Aug 31, 2009

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This might be the answer to my starting problems also! I love this site!!!

johndi

· #13 · Sep 2, 2009

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wingsound wrote:

Hey- that answers a question I posted a week or so ago..... I have an extra starter for a GL1500 and it has two terminals, a posi and a neg. The one on my 93 only has one terminal and I had wondered why the difference. Now I know.

Are they identical otherwise, I mean will the older one fit into the sprocket on the newer bike and vice versa?

Mel53

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 2, 2009

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johndi wrote:

wingsound wrote:

Hey- that answers a question I posted a week or so ago..... I have an extra starter for a GL1500 and it has two terminals, a posi and a neg. The one on my 93 only has one terminal and I had wondered why the difference. Now I know.

Click to expand...

Are they identical otherwise, I mean will the older one fit into the sprocket on the newer bike and vice versa?

By the looks of the parts manual, I would say yes.

And looking further, you would just ground the neg wire that
went to the neg post before with the 88-89 starter.

Maybe someone else may have an insight to this.

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GoWing

· #15 · Sep 7, 2009

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Would you even need to ground it, I think the body of the starter would already be grounded once you bolt it into the engine. Or am I missing something crucial?

Mel53

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 7, 2009

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GoWing wrote:

Would you even need to ground it, I think the body of the starter would already be grounded once you bolt it into the engine. Or am I missing something crucial?

I just had a look at the wiring diagram and you are right. Looks like it doesn't have to be grounded, so you could just take it right out.

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