Starter Questions.

[BMWzenRider]

I have a 1981 R100RT with a burnt up Bosch starter. It has never turned over the engine very well, and had lately really had to pull to get it past TDC. The '81 1000cc engines still had the higher compression and 70hp vs. 60hp from late model 1000cc Airheads.

I have heard that the planetary drive Valeo starters offer more starting torque with less draw on the battery, but that there is a problem with the magnets falling out and taking the armature with them. One web site claims that they licked this problem with a new adhesive, clips, etc... Others claim that they are still a problem.

It will cost me around $135 in parts to rebuild my Bosch, or I can get a NEW Valeo with the newer style magnet housing for only $50 more {$184} at Euro MotoElectrics http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/index.html

OR..... I can buy the Nippondenso unit that Motorrad Elektrik sells for a hefty $350. It looks like it would be a nice unit, but is it overkill???

Any advise would be appreciated. I really need to get my rig back on the road, it is my winter transport...

Karl
{hasn't owned a four-wheeler ['ceptin my house] since '98}
;)

[lkchris]

You're getting lots of misinformation.

In the USA, low compression arrived with the 1980 models, and your '81 came with 8.2-1 compression if it's a USA model.

The rest of the world remained unchanged at 9.5-1 through 1984.

The same Bosch starter was used in all these models, regardless of compression.

The Bosch can be rebuilt, but you can't buy a new one anywhere.

There is no advantage to the Valeo and it will prove a poor choice because of its lack of reliability.

If for some reason your Bosch proves not rebuildable, your best bet is to find a used Bosch that doesn't need it or which is rebuildable.

The Valeo, BTW, arrived mostly simultaneously with the worldwide change of R100 compression to 8.5-1.

In any event, in any given year the same starter was used in all bikes worldwide, including all with displacements less than 1000cc, too.

The Nippondenso is surely a good unit, but its expense makes it a last resort option ... when a Bosch replacement for a Valeo cannot be found. If you already have a Bosch you have a plenty good starter and there's just no reason to convert to the 'Denso.

[James.A]

$300 and change is a TON of money, but I've never had a Jap starter motor go bad in anything.

[Bob_M]

I was charged $65 to rebuild the starter on a 1982 R100. I found that a good value.
;)