new owner of vtr but problems since day one,help.

[sirch345]

Sepia,

I would suggest doing this first (as already been said).

(A) Check starter motor main cable connection (remove clean and refit with copper slip grease)

(B) Test voltage with multi-meter (try to borrow one if you don't have one, although they're not expensive) at the battery terminals. With the engine running you should be getting somewhere between 13.5 - 15.5 volts.

Then report back.

Chris.

[sepia]

hi guys.

the smoke comes out where the wire connection is.there does look like solder has been put on round the nut on top.so thinking someones done a make shift job.the whole bit looks a bit loose aswell,so dont think would take much effort to break trying.

have a guy offering me a starter of firestorm for £50 all in next day delivery.
so it will be handy to have if goes tits up trying to sort connection.

thanks steve.

[sirch345]

Steve,
The solder certainly sounds a bit suspect I agree.
If you don't want to be off the road then a spare starter motor could be a good back up plan.

Chris.

[tony.mon]

I've had this happen to mine.
it's probably not solder, it's where there's either been a loose connection at the main lead/starter motor bolt, which has then partially melted the washers and/or the bolt & nut itself, or
You have problems with the insulating washers on that bolt, which insulate the bolt carrying the current from the body on the starter.

And no, the SP1 one doesn't fit, I bought one and they're a bit different. (ended up just using the bolt!)

You can't (as has already been pointed out) buy the bolt as a separate item, so you have to use a standard (5mm? 6mm? not sure from memory) bolt and file two flats on the head so that it fits.
This will all make sense once you've stripped your starter motor down properly.

You may well also need a new lead from the relay to the motor (the thick one) as this could be damaged inside the sheath.
If the smoke is all at the motor end, the lead is probably ok-you can check this by feeling where the heat is after trying to start the bike. (careful, it gets hot enough to melt metal!!!!)

Don't do this any more, as you're creating a dead short with high current, and you'll do damage to the new battery, cable and/or the reg-rec.

So, recommendations:
1. stop trying to start it on the starter
2. disassemble the starter motor, cutting the bolt off if necessary, as it's no use any more anyway, (but try to save the insulating washers if possible)
3. fabricate a new bolt, and reinstall with the correct washers in place.
4. Check that the motor end terminal on the big lead is still in good condition- you need all the contact area you can get. If no good, get a replacement lead, it'll affect starting if you try to bodge it
5. Meter out the charging circuit to make sure the reg-rec isn't fubar
6. Ride the bike

Frankly, even if someone has tried to solder the lead on, it'll need a proper repair anyway due to the high current draw, so you might as well just take it off and get on with fixing it.

It's a doddle, compared to some of the other "general maintenance" jobs you'll end up doing!

[sepia]

thanks tony,all you have said is spot on.

i got a 2nd hand starter,tested,cleaned with the wire attached & next day delivery for £50 all in from the world of bikes & may i say they were very helpful,great sevice.

i will put new one in & get the old all cleaned up etc.

anything i have to watch when changing over or is it just a case old one out,new one in.

was away to buy 2nd hand finned regulator but the guy said doubt that my problem & go for the starter problem,which was nice of him aswell.will prob still buy soon as can only be better than my one.

just took new battery off bike & put on charge.its power was just lighting up the last green light on charger.so still good power but not enough to start bike.



thanks again guys & hope this will sort problem & i shall let you know what happens.

[sepia]

will do timbo.

even my vespa rgulator is twice the size & finned,lol.

[sepia]

thanks guy,will get onto regulator problem once have the funds.

going to do starter motor myself.
anything i need to watch for when swapping over?.
is it just a case of jiggle it out & jiggle it in,or is there a proper way to do it.

where does the wire from the starter end up @ the other end.

i havnt had time to look yet,so just good to get the info before i start.

do i need to grease round starter before puting it in etc.

thanks in advance,steve.

[balls]

Yam r/r is a must, change it cause the honda one WILL FAIL as I found out and if you are very unlucky you can kiss your battery good bye

[tony.mon]

do i need to grease round starter before puting it in etc.

No, a smear of silicon sealer always helps, but you do need to smear loads of vaseline round the lead/bolt area under the rubber boot to stop this happening again.
And the top end of the lead where it joins the relay under the seat plastics.

Don't forget to rebuild your old starter , but if you don't want it, don't just bin it- I'll rebuild it as a spare for myself or whoever gets this problem next.

[sepia]

thanks.

all very helpful.

was away to do it in my dinner time,but hasnt arrived & its pissing of rain now.

wont be chucking old one away,will sort it out for my spare.

steve.

[sepia]

does the other end go on to the solenoid,ive already had that out as guy before thought that was a bit dodgy.got a spare of that now,lol.

thanks guy,will get onto regulator problem once have the funds.

going to do starter motor myself.
anything i need to watch for when swapping over?.
is it just a case of jiggle it out & jiggle it in,or is there a proper way to do it.

where does the wire from the starter end up @ the other end.

i havnt had time to look yet,so just good to get the info before i start.

do i need to grease round starter before puting it in etc.

thanks in advance,steve.

Yes, just undo the bolts and pull it out. The wire ends up behind the tail plastics on the left hand side. IIRC you have to take the tail piece off to get to it, it is opposite the R/R, i.e. same place on other side of bike.

[sepia]

right guys.

thats another one of those faster yellow firestorms back on the road.

got starter @ 4pm today,with wire & solenoid.

no way was the nut coming of the old one,both were rounded & stuck solid.

took an hour to do it all(including messing about with old bolt).

new(2nd hand) one was spotless,covered in vasoline now.the rubber boot is a much use as a used condom,but will do till i get another asap.

bike starts with one touch & sounds sweet.

thanks to every one for the help.

yours a happy bunny,down to see the bird in dundee saturday for valentines,shell be happy(bless her she thinks my bike just has the one seat).

[balls]

glad u got it sorted dude now look out for a r/r and have a good listen to those CCT,s all the best Balls

[sepia]

thans m8,will do.

guy @ local garage had a listen to bike & 1st thing he said was thats good no sound of any rattles.

also said he could do my ccts in an hour if or when they need done,think ill get r&r & a back brake 1st,lol.

steve.

[Storm Trooper]

thans m8,will do.

guy @ local garage had a listen to bike & 1st thing he said was thats good no sound of any rattles.

also said he could do my ccts in an hour if or when they need done,think ill get r&r & a back brake 1st,lol.

steve.

Steve,

Another Fellow Yellow Storm Owner from Newport on Tay here.

Glad you got yer problem sorted. If you are ever coming down this way and fancy a meet gae us a shout.

cheers

And yes Yellow is Fastest!