85 K100 won't start

[GJBushman]

I am converting a K100RT to a standard. I have just completed putting the cockpit together (instrument cluster, headlight, horns, turn signals). When I turn the key to on all the components seem to work but the starter will not engage. Am I missing something? The bike started fine before disassembly. I removed the RT fairing and mounted the above parts. However, I have not mounted the radiator shroud or side body pieces yet. I also have not mounted the parking light in the headlight either. I don't have that piece so I will have to order it. The wires are not plugged in. Could this be the problem?

[breyfogle]

I am converting a K100RT to a standard..... but the starter will not engage.

Just for clarification: does the starter spin but not "engage" i.e. turnover the engine, or does the starter not spin at all ?

[cayuse60]

is the starter relay energizing, is the fuel pump running? Is the starter swithch properly connected? Need more info:confused:

[GJBushman]

The starter does spin (I am assuming by the sound). The engine does not turn over. The starter was never disconnected, neither was the fuel pump. I must assume that the starter and fuel pump are ok because they were working fine before I removed the fairing. I have not touched the starter or fuel pump. The battery was new four months ago.

[jdiaz]

Did you unplug the FI computer under the seat for any reason? Many a starter has been ground to bits because of a partially-unmated connection there. :D

[RandallIsland]

Put a long socket extension down onto the starter.
Tap it gently with a hammer.
See if that helps.

And check your instrument cluster connections behind the headlight while being sure it's in neutral.

[deilenberger]

Put a long socket extension down onto the starter.
Tap it gently with a hammer.
See if that helps.

And check your instrument cluster connections behind the headlight while being sure it's in neutral.Uh... what is hitting the starter going to do? There is no bendix mechanism on K bike starters.

Since he says the starter is turning, but not engaging - on a K bike that means sprague clutch problems.

I'd suggest looking at the K-bike tech stuff on the IBMWR website. It's a well known problem with the older K bikes - and there is a possibility of a fix not involving engine disassembly. Paul Glaves covered it in the MOA-ON, and on this forum not too long ago?

[RandallIsland]

Uh... what is hitting the starter going to do? There is no bendix mechanism on K bike starters.

Since he says the starter is turning, but not engaging - on a K bike that means sprague clutch problems.

I'd suggest looking at the K-bike tech stuff on the IBMWR website. It's a well known problem with the older K bikes - and there is a possibility of a fix not involving engine disassembly. Paul Glaves covered it in the MOA-ON, and on this forum not too long ago?

I'm a philistine in many respects and certainly no guru, yet years ago, I had a similar problem with a starter.
If I remember right, the brushes in the starter just needed convincing, to make contact. Or somewhat something like that.
The tapping is just an easy, cost effective method, that I remember my mechanic out west suggesting way back when. Yet it's been so long and such, that fix is probably out of context here, and I defer to your better grasp of this.
My bad.

[GJBushman]

I'm thinking this may be any electrical issue. I stuck the battery on a tender and charged it up. It wasn't in the shape that I thought it was. Took a couple days to come back to full charge. Unfortunately the bike still won't start. However, I have installed the parking light now and for some reason I can no longer get my headlight to come on. There is no power coming to the connection. All fuses in the fuse box are ok. Is there another fuse for the headlight?

[kioolt]

I'm thinking this may be any electrical issue. I stuck the battery on a tender and charged it up. It wasn't in the shape that I thought it was. Took a couple days to come back to full charge. Unfortunately the bike still won't start. However, I have installed the parking light now and for some reason I can no longer get my headlight to come on. There is no power coming to the connection. All fuses in the fuse box are ok. Is there another fuse for the headlight?

On your bike the starter provides the ground for the load shed relay. The load shed relay turns the headlight off when you are using the starter. If you are indeed having starter troubles it could also be the reason you headlight is not on. Try tapping on the starter to see if the headlight will come on. If it does you have a starter brush problem.

[GJBushman]

On your bike the starter provides the ground for the load shed relay. The load shed relay turns the headlight off when you are using the starter. If you are indeed having starter troubles it could also be the reason you headlight is not on. Try tapping on the starter to see if the headlight will come on. If it does you have a starter brush problem.

I've gotten the headlight working. Starter still spins and does not engage.

[deilenberger]

I've gotten the headlight working. Starter still spins and does not engage.And you still have a sprage clutch problem.

Either read up on it at www.ibmwr.org - under K-tech, or dig through your old MOA-Owners News, Paul Glaves wrote it up sometime in the past year.

I prefer CD2, Paul prefers Risolone - both *may* solve the problem. If not - some heavy engine disassembly is in your future.

That's about the only advice I can give - and after giving it a 2nd time, that's the last time. It's a known problem with a known fix... it's not a mystery or anything new.

[GJBushman]

And you still have a sprage clutch problem.

That's about the only advice I can give - and after giving it a 2nd time, that's the last time. It's a known problem with a known fix... it's not a mystery or anything new.

Thank you for giving the adivce, I do appreciate it. I'm confused by your tone though, did I upset you with my questions?

[Ted]

I don't think it was the asking of the questions as much as the apparent disregarding of the answers :)

This is a known problem and Don (who I have heard, knows a thing or two about K-bikes) has pointed you to an answer - I'd advise giving the materials a good read and giving the repair procedure a go to see if it solves your issues.

[deilenberger]

Thank you for giving the adivce, I do appreciate it. I'm confused by your tone though, did I upset you with my questions?As Ted pointed out - it was your apparent ignoring my suggestion/answer much earlier in this thread.

For those of us who offer help - it becomes tedious to repeat the same answer/suggestion again and again - especially when the answer is to the same person. We're not paid or rewarded for offering help - it's simply something we do - rider to rider.

[GJBushman]

As Ted pointed out - it was your apparent ignoring my suggestion/answer much earlier in this thread.

For those of us who offer help - it becomes tedious to repeat the same answer/suggestion again and again - especially when the answer is to the same person. We're not paid or rewarded for offering help - it's simply something we do - rider to rider.

So the tone was appropriate due to my apparent ignorance? OK. I was answering kioolt's response, not ignoring your advice. That is why I quoted his comment. I'm sorry if you think I was ignoring you, I was not. I've been on enough web boards to understand how to research a mechanical problem. Your first comment on the clutch sprague was noted by me. I did not ask you to repeat it. You should be more sensitive to this type (asynchronous) of communication.

[Ted]

I think you're taking offense where none was intended. Nevertheless, I would expect starting an unnecessary argument will not help fix your bike any faster.

[GJBushman]

I think you're taking offense where none was intended. Nevertheless, I would expect starting an unnecessary argument will not help fix your bike any faster.

Ted, you are correct on both points, the bike will not get fixed as result of this discussion, and that I took offense. I'm sure no offense was meant, but yet, it was still taken. So, as a occassional user of this board and a BMWMOA member I go away with some good advice on how to repair my bike, but not feeling real positive about the whole Forum experience. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know when I get the bike running.

[kioolt]

I notice that you are in Maryland. If you're near me I could come over and give you a helping hand possibly Saturday morning.

[GJBushman]

I notice that you are in Maryland. If you're near me I could come over and give you a helping hand possibly Saturday morning.


Thanks for the offer. I've sent you a PM.

[GJBushman]

I have gotten the bike running and I am addressing the issue of the sprague clutch with additive to the oil. Hopefully this procedure will resolve any future problems such as this. Thanks for the advice from all.

[RandallIsland]

I have gotten the bike running ... Thanks for the advice from all.

Outstanding!
Best,
-R