Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi guy's,

Has anyone got a good Starter Motor for a KZ650 they might like to sell, mine seems pretty lazy. When the engine is hot it won't turn over very well, cold is not too bad but still a bit slow and the Battery is new. The wreckers are way too expensive, I can't see how they survive when they are pricing themselves out of the market

Thanks
Noel

How much are they asking for one of these at the wreckers ??

Hi Gos,

The prices vary from $110.00 to $200.00, PITA really. I can get one from the US reconditioned for $200.00 AUD + Shipping, why would I buy one here for $200.00 used, used ones on Flebay go for anything from $9.00 to $50.00AUD + Shipping, the problem is you don't know what your getting until it gets here. It then gets a bit expensive to send it back for exchange, even so I guess it is still cheaper than getting a Starter from the wreckers here.

If anyone here has a good one and wants to sell it; I would rather buy local and help someone out here.

Thanks
Noel

Hullo. I have the complete opposite problem with my starter, the old gal is sweet as pie whilst hot, but is a royal bitch when cold, like most women. Can you fix starter motors or is it not worth the effort? And Dustproof, where did ya see those ridiculously expensive ones at wreckers, since I think the starter motor might stand in the way of me getting a roadworthy, and I'm impatient. J.

PS I think that answers your question about how over-priced wreckers stay in the market, either people don't know better to look for a better deal, or they just want the convenience without the hassle and delays of auctions and international shipping.

seraph wrote:Hullo. I have the complete opposite problem with my starter, the old gal is sweet as pie whilst hot, but is a royal bitch when cold, like most women. Can you fix starter motors or is it not worth the effort? And Dustproof, where did ya see those ridiculously expensive ones at wreckers, since I think the starter motor might stand in the way of me getting a roadworthy, and I'm impatient. J.

PS I think that answers your question about how over-priced wreckers stay in the market, either people don't know better to look for a better deal, or they just want the convenience without the hassle and delays of auctions and international shipping.

I use http://www.findapart.com.au to troll for parts I need, it is pretty good. I get answers the next day from at least 8 wreckers all over the place, the starter motor so far has been the exception as far as parts are concerned. For example; I got a Brand New Cylinder head for $160.00 and a Complete engine overhaul gasket kit for an extra $100.00. Starters can be reconditioned, there are kits available but mostly in the US. New parts can be found at http://www.bikebandit.com or ZPower in Australia but they can be expensive.

See ya
Noel

$100 for a starter motor is about right from a wreckers......but ebay is the best bet by far. Z Power is pretty pricey for lots of stuff, but can be good for other bits - it really pays to shop around. The best place in the US to buy stuff is from Jeff at Z1 Enterprises. He is great to deal with, gets stuff in the post really quickly, and has a huge range of stuff........

Jamie - is yours just 'spinning' when cold, and actually working properly when hot ? If it is, thats the starter clutch that will need replacing......its a really common problem on all the 650/750 series.....a change of engine oil can sometimes help...its possible to replace the starter clutch without splitting the cases, but it takes a practiced hand.....

Gosling1 wrote:its possible to replace the starter clutch without splitting the cases, but it takes a practiced hand.....

To change the Starter clutch you need to remove the Clutch and Basket, you also need to remove the starter motor and case plug on the end of the starter clutch shaft. Turn the bike on it's side and remove the sump and you then have access to the Starter clutch. The Manual has the instructions on how to remove it from there, you just don't need to pull the engine out of the frame.

Yup, Gos, you're bang on with yer assessment, it's the starter clutch, and whilst I know you have a "practiced hand" I got a service manual, I can handle it Cheers for the pointers Dusty J.

sounds good mate - hope you can get it sorted out quick-smart. This was one of those problems back in the day......when the salesman said " I am sorry Sir, they all do that..." - he was dead right !!

I got a rebuild kit from EBay and rebuilt my starter last night, I installed it this afternoon and what a difference. Whilst the starter was out of the bike I hooked the battery up to the charger and gave it a top up, been a bit busy lately out at Eastern Creek to ride so I figured it would need it.

The starter is an interesting bit of kit, only 2 brushes so the torque is a bit low. It has 2 planetry gears on the main output shaft to act like a gearbox. I found the bearing were stuffed and dry, it also had lots of dust inside from the old brushes. After dismantling the starter I set about cleaning the contacts, removed the bearings and checked the sizing.

I made sure the bearings were fitted correctly so the clips were properly driven home, I greased the gears and bearing surfaces so everything moved freely and fitted it all back together. It now works like a charm, it turns over quickly and the drain on the battery is a lot lower. At the end of the day it was a better choice to recondition than get another started from a wrecker, the complete kit cost me $50.00AUD delivered from the US verses $110.00 (Min price) for a second hand unit that might last 2 months or so.

Noel