find me a starter!| Motorcycles and Bicycles forum |

Bobzilla SuperDork
6/13/12 12:21 p.m.

OK, today at lunch I got a rude awakening. Starter has a dead spot. damn. So anyway, my 1993 Honda CB750 Nighthawk IS almost 20 years old so I shouldn't be upset. What I am upset is that what I've found for new starters is a bit.... umm.... disconcerting. $490 for a starter on a bike I've owned for 14 years and I have just about $1000 into it.

So, suggestions on where one could find a starter for this cheaply?

92CelicaHalfTrac MegaDork
6/13/12 12:36 p.m.

Less than $170 shipped: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB750-Nighthawk-83-99-Starter-Motor-25638-/300718268407?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4604349ff7

pilotbraden Dork
6/13/12 12:40 p.m.

Rebuild at a local starter/alternator shop?

Grtechguy PowerDork
6/13/12 1:21 p.m.

pilotbraden wrote: Rebuild at a local starter/alternator shop?

this.

foxtrapper PowerDork
6/13/12 1:23 p.m.

A lot of dead spots on starter motors actually live in the dirty contacts of the ignition switch.

Bobzilla SuperDork
6/13/12 1:29 p.m.

in this case I could feel/hear the starter solenoid clicking under my left leg. I put it in gear, bumped the engine over just a little and it fired right up.

92CelicaHalfTrac MegaDork
6/13/12 1:33 p.m.

Bobzilla wrote: in this case I could feel/hear the starter solenoid clicking under my left leg. I put it in gear, bumped the engine over just a little and it fired right up.

Oh so it did start? Then why are you shopping for a starter? Don't buy a starter until it never starts. You're bad at this.

Bobzilla SuperDork
6/13/12 1:39 p.m.

I'm looking NOW so when it DOES die I'm prepared. Or maybe I finally just sell it....

92CelicaHalfTrac MegaDork
6/13/12 1:44 p.m.

Bobzilla wrote: I'm looking NOW so when it DOES die I'm prepared. Or maybe I finally just sell it....

That's not how this works.

Bobzilla SuperDork
6/13/12 1:48 p.m.

That's how it works in MY world. When stuff starts to die, I find it's replacement and get ready to replace it. That way when it dies I am not A.) shocked and 2.) unprepared.

foxtrapper PowerDork
6/13/12 1:56 p.m.

Take an hour or two and pull both the starter motor and the starter relay. Clean the armature on the motor, and see if the brushes are so worn they should be replaced. Clean also the starter relay contacts.

You've a darn good chance of fixing the problem with little to no money spent.

Bobzilla SuperDork
6/13/12 1:59 p.m.

STUPID OLD bike..... I mean, it's only 19 years old and other than tires, a chain, front pads and oil changes it's never needed anything.