ddstockton Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 I just spent some time with a starter guru. He builds starters and alternators for race cars. That's ALL he does. My starter began spinning the other day without turning over the motor. From all indications I needed a new one. I took my starter (stock '02 chief) to this guy and watched while he took it apart. He showed me the clutch which is the piece splined to the jackshaft and said that it was my problem. It needs to be rebuilt which he is doing for 120-125 bucks. I told him about the problems we all have with starters and how some are going to the 2.2 kW (hope that's right) starter and he informed me that he builds race starters for 500 hp motors with 12:1 compression and uses 1.4 kW starters and has no problem what so ever. He said that the starters themselves were fine, but if you don't have a strong battery, you can't spin it. He also warned me that the clutches in these starters are destroyed by leaving the starter engaged after the motor starts and that it only takes a second to blow the clutch. He warned me to release the starter button as soon as I heard it fire. I know we all knew that, but at least now we know what specific part gets destroyed. Not releasing the button at any compression stall is also bad for the clutch. He said that if a lot of amps are running through the starter and that happened then the windings are an issue, but more than likely it's the clutch that's getting all the damage in our bikes. The remedy? Get a good strong battery like an Odyssey and repair the starter clutch. He said that it doesn't matter what kind of starter you have. They all have clutches and they will all fail without a good battery and not laying off the button. Hope you all can find an alternator shop in your area to fix yours. It's a LOT cheaper than a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishman01 Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 I went through this in January with my 03 Chief. I had the starter re-built twice and it broke twice and left me stranded. I replaced it with a heavy duty chrome Tech starter. It fires like it never has before. The only problem was that I had to purchase a new jack shaft only for an adapter piece for the new starter to fit. So for $500.00 for the starter and $ 189.00 for the jack shaft I am riding again. I was informed that the factory starter was a Hitachi starter (basically junk). Even though I had it beefed up and rebuilt it kept breaking. I think it is smarter to buy a new heavy duty starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fungus Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 what's this guy's name and address? Would he rebuild ours, if we were to ship to him? I'm on starter #3 myself, and hope it survives the year..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddstockton Posted April 1, 2004 Author Share Posted April 1, 2004 That's the first I've heard about Hitachi starters but I'll ask John. I don't know his last name but here's the address. Bridgeport Starter and Alternator 3411 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46222 (317) 244-3130 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANT Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 Not sure about Hitachi but a friend of mine who is a former Indian dealer mechanic (and worked for GM/Toyota's Nummi factory) told me that some of the starters were based on Nippondenso car staters.....Toyota owns ND. He having worked for Toy should be able to identify a ND starter! He concurs that the clutches are the main problem. Don't forget to take a look at the primary cover jackshaft bushings. If tight or loose (missing?) then you're in for a world of hurt. -ANT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Charlie Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 I was preaching starter clutches two years ago. I didn't think any one was listening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANT Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 Did someone just say sumpthin? I think Iheard that noise like when an adult speaks on those Charlie Brown cartoons.....wah wah wah wha wha -ANT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fungus Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 DD Thanks! you and I aren't too far away. I am from SW Ohio, about 40 minutes east of Cincy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duppun Posted April 3, 2004 Share Posted April 3, 2004 Wow nice to know im not the only guy with starter problems lol had to replace mine 2 months after i bought it and after indian went out so my dealer was like ill fix it if you pay. So i had a local V-Twin shop do the repair Used a Terry components 2.0 kw starter and Heavier cables. Found the bushing for the jackshaft in the outer and inner primary cover had lots of sloop so hade a machine shop make me new ones out of some oil impregnated material??? Cranks like a champ just hope it stays that way. Big Chief duppun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANT Posted April 3, 2004 Share Posted April 3, 2004 The oil impregnated bushing you're talking about is called a Bronze Oilite bushing. This was developed by Studebaker way back in the 20's or 30's. It's a porous material that is soaked in oil and heat treated so that it literally will absorb the oil. When in use and under pressure some of that oil oozes out. Pretty slick eh? Some words of caution though, don't grind on the running surface to make it fit as you'll end up wrecking everything. See here: http://yarchive.net/metal/oilite.html -ANT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duppun Posted April 3, 2004 Share Posted April 3, 2004 Made my bushings from solid bar stock and cut on a lathe and drill press, friend a cerified machinest did it for me so i hope he knew what he was doing looked good to me before reasembly, thanks tons for the information though new to this board and it easies my mind to have somewhere to go to and discuss this stuff with other Chief owners since theres not another chief within 100 miles. Big Chief duppun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotdog Posted April 4, 2004 Share Posted April 4, 2004 Boy, I sure do miss the kick starters you got just for "back up"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Charlie Posted April 4, 2004 Share Posted April 4, 2004 Well Baker has just announced their new 6 speed kicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandmanbob Posted April 4, 2004 Share Posted April 4, 2004 ive got a kick start on mine ,sure comes in handy when starter goes.go to chiefazman (iira az) web site to see a picture under photo bob motorscooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swipter Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 I saw your picture on Chiefanman's site. Can you make the original starter a kick starter? I have seen parts in J&P about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackhorse Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 I thought there were issues with placement of the exhaust... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 The early starters were made by Compufire.... when someone says it is a Hitachi starter, I believe they are talking about the style of starter. Hitachi made a certain style of starter that is used by many others...with the converter and all. I am sure some other much smarter people can give specifics...but this is how I understand it from the little I have read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swipter Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 You know I think you are right. I can not do that with the exhaust I have now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorscooter Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 sorry it took so long to get back. swipter yes it works with stock starter you just have to change trans cover. aaron is right it will not work with stock exhaust thats why i have the upsweep pipes to clear kicker i got it from sharp eye enterprises in ca. ph 562-250-0333 hope this helps bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brneyedgal558 Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 Question about a Starter -- moved to this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fungus Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 Anybody have the link to Chieffan man's site...I'd like to take a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorscooter Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 www.aztribe.com there it is bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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