Starter spins, but not engaging

Found the rebuild kit. Starter is a Mitsuba SM-8227 and the kit is an RBK-40.

Question- I've found several suppliers, but the applications are all over the map. A kit labeled RBK-40 ought to be the same no matter where the the starter is used, correct?

nope. remove, clean, inspect, replace, re-install, RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE

Suggested workflow...

Tear it apart, inspect all (with pictures for diagnosis on GSR,) order the parts needed after confirming that it is worth rebuilding.

Miss anything?

old skool,

Have you rebuilt one before? From what I have picked up while reading about this...the fact that it runs when tapped indicates it might be bushes. Does that fit your understanding?

How specific are the starters to specific bikes? Is substitution likely?

The GR takes the same one as my 1100L, my starters are interchangeable, if you take your time, they are easy to rebuild, the tricky part is keeping the brushes in place when re-installing them, toothpicks, the old bushing gets chiseled out, the old bearing taps out easy enough, the kit comes with everything, but there is no telling what shape your armature is in, I rebuilt one once, and should have inspected it better as I had a bad one with a burnt winding. Inspect it well when you take it apart, there will be a lot of messy carbon build up inside.

old_skool,

Have you rebuilt one before? From what I have picked up while reading about this...the fact that it runs when tapped indicates it might be bushes. Does that fit your understanding?

How specific are the starters to specific bikes? Is substitution likely?

If you need a replacement, they show up all the time on ebay, fairly cheap sometimes. My boneyard here is littered with them, not sure how much, not sure how reliable they would be, another ebay seller sells complete rebuild kits for them, around $25-$29

I'm curious too. Something was making a "whir" inside the case, but the shaft wasn't turning.

I tapped it with a hammer and hit the starter button. Shaft started to spin, but slowly and it made unhappy noises while doing so. Didn't run long.

I'll tear it apart this evening and see what going on internally.

[tom203]

That appears to be the beast.

Guess I'll pull it apart and see what's going on with. Rebuild seems like a good option.

Let us know, as I'm curious as to what was spinning if the shaft wasn't.


Edit; visit Tips and Tricks forum for DIY starter repair

That appears to be the beast.

Guess I'll pull it apart and see what's going on with. Rebuild seems like a good option.

Sorry about the huge picture....wow

if this is it, it seems the same as most

Pull it apart see what is going on, you can't make it worse, can you...?

If you have the bike manual, it should show you in detail on how to tear it apart.

.

I hesitate to say no to a question like that.

Have the manual- it is a bit weak on detail.

Pull it apart see what is going on, you can't make it worse, can you...?

If you have the bike manual, it should show you in detail on how to tear it apart.

.

Took the starter out. Could turn the shaft by hand, but it felt tight.

Held it down and hit the starter button. Something inside turns, but not the shaft.

Looks like the starter is the problem.

So, guru of all things electrical sold by Suzuki...what's next? New starter? Tear down and rebuild the old one?

You have no idea how much I am hoping you are wrong. I'm very much a newbie wrench and that sounds a bit beyond my skill level at the moment. I can barely get things apart when I have the right tools and it sounds like I don't for this job.