Electric Starter Query - 750J

[MikeH1A]

Gentlemen, I have always wondered about the electric start on my Buffalo - it never sounded too grunty right from when I bought her. The first few times it is pushed, there tends to be more of a metallic ringing sound than any business, then it seems to suddenly do something after say the 4th push of the button.

Last month it just whirred and then failed to do anything. My first thought was a flat battery but the bike kicked into life easy and the meter showed it was charging. To be on the safe side, I charged the battery up - took say 15 minutes till showed as fully charged. Today, there was absolutely nothing when I pressed the starter button but I could turn the headlight on and indicators with no trouble. They were all bright. The bike came alive on the second kick and ran fine on a short run.

So, I'm guessing the starter could be buggered? Any thoughts on what might be happening and what I should be looking for or doing to sort it?

Thanks for any advice, Mike

[Alan H]

To get to the starter clutch you need to completely remove the clutch. If it's the early type, it will have three rollers, springs and tubes. If these are broken they will need replacing - still available in several places (I bought a same part number set for my 550K at £30).
The starter clutch is behind the clutch proper and secured by three cross head studs.

[GT750Battleship]

Hi,my starter motor behaved like yours before finally doing nothing except "clicking" !
I removed the starter motor & stripped it to find there was hardly any brush a material left,replaced the brushes & everything now works fine....worth a look,starter clutches were a problem mainly with the GT550 with an updated starter clutch available from Suzuki.
Cheers,
Roger

[Alan H]

It's only lasted 42 years. What sort of workmanship is that?

[MikeH1A]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I think I will start with the brushes - path of least resistance first

This is my first bike with an electric start. Previously, I had always considered such technological advancements as beneath the true biker and that any "proper" rider would use a kick start. However, I now miss that simple press of the button ...