New York Chapter "W"

Gold Wing Road Riders Association

Rochester, NY

Do you have a vintage Gold Wing with a starter that is acting up? Acts like a dead battery when the engine is cold? Turns over normal when warm? Try this fix before spending a bundle for a new Honda starter.

Instructions for master mechanic - Part 1

by John Kent

Remove Starter

Clean outside

Disassemble

Remove field coils

Clean all parts with electrical grade solvent

NOTE: If two segments of the commutator across from each other are black after cleaning get another starter, this one is toast (See part 2)

Air dry

Bake in oven at 250 degrees for 4 hours

Use GE Glyptol insulating varnish - air dry (see above)

Lube with high temp grease

Reassemble with new brushes and bearing NOTE: one brush has insulation on the connecting wire and the other one is bare. Make sure you install them in the right position. In case yoiu didn't notice when you took it apart, the insulated brush is connected to the wire that protrudes from the case.

Reinstall starter

Go riding

Instructions for clumsy do-it yourselfer like Gfy - Part 1

by John Kent (with helps by Al Skiles)

Remove Starter (two bolts hold starter to engine and two nuts - one nut holds the cable from the solenoid to the starter and the other nut is you)

Clean outside (you can do this in a suit, tie comes in handy if you miss a spot)

Disassemble (take apart tossing parts in a can with other parts - makes interesting puzzle)

Remove field coils (very easy if you remove the holding screws first) DO NOT unwind!

Clean all parts with electrical grade solvent (DO NOT use acid, starter will disappear)

NOTE: If two segments of the commutator across from each other are black after cleaning skip to part two.

Air dry (if air isn't available, use vacuum)

Bake in oven at 250 degrees for 4 hours (might as well bake a cake or pie at the same time)

Use GE Glyptol insulating varnish (do not use to refinish wood) - air dry (see above)

Lube with high temp grease (Crisco will not work)

Reassemble with new brushes (tooth brush will not work unless made of carbon) and bearing (you will need a GPS or compass to get your bearing) NOTE: one brush has insulation on the connecting wire and the other one is bare. Make sure you install them in the right position. (Pretty sparks happen if you get them mixed up. You can mix them up anytime of the year if you want to show your wife and kids some fire-works.) In case you didn't notice when you took it apart, the insulated brush is connected to the wire that protrudes from the case. You say there is more than one wire sticking out? Shhh! don't tell anyone, they'll want more wires too. Just pick one and hook it up. Isn't this fun?

Reinstall on bike after you get the right parts out of the can. Remember, a hammer makes most anything fit.

Push start bike.

Go riding!

Part 2

by Al Skiles

Chuck starter into the trash and go buy a GL1800 or go to E-bay to buy a new starter for around $133.50 plus $11.00 shipping with one year warranty.

When new starter arrives, install on bike.

Go riding!

If you found your starting relay toast too, new Honda starting relays are about $99.00. I found new ones on E-bay for only $47.85 plus $5.85 postage click here.