New to the forum! Have a starter question... No pun intended

[SuzukiSmith]

I have a 1974 GT550. My starter quit about a year ago. I have just been kicking it. I push the button it clicked but never engaged. I checked with a multimeter at the starter I have 12 volts. I tore it out and the brushes were non existent " just powder" nothing but wires in the holder. Upon further disassembly and inspection the com has a spot that has lifted up about .100. Is this something that a motor repair shop can handle? Also how interchangeable are the starters on these as far as the 550's go. Or are the 750's the same as well? Thanks in advance and cheers!

[joolstacho]

By "com" We assume you mean 'commutator' do you? and .100 ? What measurement? mm? fractions of inch?
How big is the "spot"?

[SuzukiSmith]

Yes on the commutator along with inches. It's one whole tab of the commutator that seems to have lifted. I'm thinking this is what tore the brushes up?

[joolstacho]

Yes that sounds nasty. And for sure it would tear the brushes apart. I don't know if that could be repaired - replacing one segment, I don't know. I wonder if 24 hour Epoxy would do the job, the issue would be heat build-up. Then there's the matter of the winding connection to the segment. There are specialists who can dress the commutator smooth afterwards (pretty well anyone with a decent lathe could do that anyway).

[SuzukiSmith]

Thanks for the reply. Which leads me back to my other question. Are the 550 starters interchangable through the years? So if to look for a replacement does it have to be year specific?

[jabcb]

Suzuki used starters made by Kokusan & Nippon Denso. Per the online parts diagrams, they didn’t update either starter.
The mounting bolts used depended on which starter was used. The starter is unique to the GT550.
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/suzuk ... indy-gt550

So you can use any good working used GT550 starter plus the appropriate mounting bolts.

[SuzukiSmith]

Thanks for the replies.

[Alan H]

The rotor on the 550 and 750 are the same, but the casings are different, so the starters are not interchangeable.
All 550 starters will fit all 550 models.

[joolstacho]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Rotors weren't the same on scores of bikes of the period.