Problem starting 2002 sabre

[Dakine]

My 2002 shadow sabre is having an odd problem when I try to start it. Basically when I turn the key, I hear the solenoid click and that's it. But if I put the bike in gear and jerk back, the engine makes a rrwwwrrrr sound, and may start right up(clutch in of course).

The battery is less than a month old, I replaced it after the bike wouldn't start at work.

Anyone have an idea of what this might be? Sorry if I don't provide enough details up front, I'm not too terribly knowledgable about engines.

Thanks,
Chris

[Trucountry]

When you say it may start right up up, do you mean by jerking back, or with the starter after you jerk it back?

[BrightRedVLX]

Originally Posted by Dakine

Basically when I turn the key, I hear the solenoid click and that's it.

The battery is less than a month old, I replaced it after the bike wouldn't start at work.

Did you charge the new battery before use ?
Did you check the charging voltage after installation ?

Sounds to me like a loose connection; check both ends of both main cables.

You will need a meter to go beyond that.
You might have a starter clutch problem.

[93gc40]

Did you charge the battery?? Sounds like the starter clutch is hanging up. The shifter could be out of adjustment, also.

[Dakine]

Originally Posted by Trucountry

When you say it may start right up up, do you mean by jerking back, or with the starter after you jerk it back?

After I jerk the bike backwards, I pull the clutch and hit the starter. The bike may or may not start at that point.

Originally Posted by BrightRedVLX

Did you charge the new battery before use ?
Did you check the charging voltage after installation ?

Sounds to me like a loose connection; check both ends of both main cables.

You will need a meter to go beyond that.
You might have a starter clutch problem.

The battery was charged at the shop for >24 hours before they installed it.

I just checked the voltage, and it came in at 13 volts. When idling, it was around 13.6 volts. The technician told me I needed at least 12.6 to crank teh bike properly.

When you say main cables, you mean the wires connected up to the battery posts? I'll check those on my lunch break.

I had to look up what a starter clutch is, do you mean that it might not be disengaging from the fly wheel correctly? Wouldn't that occur after the engine cranks? I'm not even getting that far though. (Just guessing, all my motor knowledge is google based)

Originally Posted by 93gc40

Did you charge the battery?? Sounds like the starter clutch is hanging up. The shifter could be out of adjustment, also.

Yep, the battery was charged. I'll look into the starter clutch some more after work, but I'm not sure it fits. When you say the shifter could be out of adjustment, what do you mean? Is there a way I could check for that?

Thanks for the suggestions. A coworker had an idea that seems plausible, perhaps one of you might be able to comment?

Basically, he's proposing that my starter is going bad, and is unable to start the engine when the pistons are compressed fully. So by pulling the bike backwards in gear, I'm moving the pistons a small amount each time, eventually getting them to the point where they will just fire up with minimal strain on the starter. Does that seem to fit?

Thanks again!
- Chris

Edit: I also replaced the spark plugs about the same time I replaced the battery - the old ones were pretty shot, but I think they were also the originals. (first owner put 2,500 miles on the bike in 10 years he owned it). I gapped the plugs according to the bikes maintenance guide, although I can't recall what the gap width I used was.

[BrightRedVLX]

Originally Posted by Dakine

When you say main cables, you mean the wires connected up to the battery posts? I'll check those on my lunch break.

I had to look up what a starter clutch is, do you mean that it might not be disengaging from the fly wheel correctly?

Basically, he's proposing that my starter is going bad, and is unable to start the engine when the pistons are compressed fully.

Yes, the THICK wires at the battery and the other end of those too.

The starter clutch or bendix drive, whichever it has, might not be ENgaging but if that happens, you would hear the starter whirr, I think.

Your friends suggestion is pretty good actually. Worn brushes or a dirty comutator can cause the starter to fail when IT is in a certain position.....in which case just bumping the button a few times often makes it go.

The critical difference might be whether or not the engine actually tries to move.....or if just totally nothing happens.

[Dakine]

Originally Posted by BrightRedVLX

Your friends suggestion is pretty good actually. Worn brushes or a dirty comutator can cause the starter to fail when IT is in a certain position.....in which case just bumping the button a few times often makes it go.

The critical difference might be whether or not the engine actually tries to move.....or if just totally nothing happens.

Some times all I hear is a click, other times it will crank once or twice then stop.

Sorry, but I didn't get a chance to run and look at my bike over lunch, but I should be able to tonight. I'll get back to you about the wires.

[Dakine]

Hi all,

The Honda techs got back to me and let me know it is definitely the starter. They want $740+ to replace it, which seems unreasonable to me.

I've done some googling and am having some trouble finding the specific part number I should be looking for. Does anyone know what that number would be, or could someone point me in the right direction for when I need to look up parts?

I found a 2000-2006 VT1100C2 manual on ebay that I will be picking up, but I'm hoping to not have to wait for it to get here to order the motor.

The manual should also tell me how to replace the starter right? I have a friend who does his own maintenance and repairs on his Yamaha and he offered to assist so as long as we have a guide I think we'll be fine.

Thanks again,
Chris