Alton electric starter packed up

Submitted by chris_moorhouse on Tue, 13/03/2018
Forums
Commando

Hi all !

The shaft with a small sprocket on that comes out of the s/motor and has a little chain on , connected to the engine sprocket is waggling about. This fault has jammed everything up, you can't even kickstart the bike.It looks to me that the whole of the drive side and inner case has to come off to get at the starter motor. Has anyone any experience of this? To remove the rotor does it need a standard Commando puller? I'm asking NOC members as Alton in France are a bit laissez faire about replying to my emails.

Chris

Submitted by paul_nicholls on Tue, 13/03/2018

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The rotor does not need a puller, it is on a parallel part of the crankshaft. The rotor and the driving gear should then be able to be removed together. The most likely cause is the shear rubbers in the drive gear. It is unlikely to be the starter motor. Once you have the drive gear off you should be able to test the starter on its own.

I have fitted quite a few of these kits and the problem normally lies with the shear pins. (Made of nylon type material)

Paul

Submitted by nigel_keating on Sat, 17/03/2018

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You may need a puller to pull the rotor off but it shouldn't be tight.There are two shallow holes for the purpose. Alton are usually very helpful. If you don't have the Alton manual it is available from their web site to download. The shear pins are there to protect the starter should the timing not be set up correctly and it kicks back.

Submitted by chris_moorhouse on Sat, 31/03/2018

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I have fitted the new starter motor and sprag clutch plus the primary chain/clutch/engine sprocket. On testing if it works on the button, yes it does, but the sprag sprocket is spinning clockwise and not turning the engine at all. It should be spinning anti clockwise to turn the engine in a forward direction.

All helpful thoughts appreciated.

C

Submitted by chris_moorhouse on Sun, 01/04/2018

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Previously john_holmes wrote:

You need to index the field coils to reverse direction of motor.

Hi John,

Yes the battery is correctly fitted ,+ve earth. Where are the field coils located please?

Chris

Submitted by chris_moorhouse on Sun, 01/04/2018

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Previously paul_nicholls wrote:

Is the battery connected the right way round?

Hi Paul

Yes it's +ve earth.

Submitted by john_holmes on Sun, 01/04/2018

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Field coils or magnets are in the starter body, the bushes and coil relationship determine the direction a DC motor turns, so if you use a Harley Starter body which turns the opposite direction your bushes and field coils are 90 degrees out of phase. Connecting the battery the wrong way does not change the direction. If it's an Alton starter then contact them and they should replace it as they have sent the wrong starter motor.

Submitted by iain_brown on Sun, 01/04/2018

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I agree with John, sounds like you have been sent one for the wrong polarity and so you should ask for a replacement.

Alton can provide instructions for changing the polarity, i have just done it on mine (+ve to -ve earth), it involves pulling the starter motor apart and changing the orientation of the brushes by 90 degrees. Not something to do for a supplier error though.

Previously john_holmes wrote:

Field coils or magnets are in the starter body, the bushes and coil relationship determine the direction a DC motor turns, so if you use a Harley Starter body which turns the opposite direction your bushes and field coils are 90 degrees out of phase. Connecting the battery the wrong way does not change the direction. If it's an Alton starter then contact them and they should replace it as they have sent the wrong starter motor.

Submitted by chris_moorhouse on Mon, 02/04/2018

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Previously john_holmes wrote:

Field coils or magnets are in the starter body, the bushes and coil relationship determine the direction a DC motor turns, so if you use a Harley Starter body which turns the opposite direction your bushes and field coils are 90 degrees out of phase. Connecting the battery the wrong way does not change the direction. If it's an Alton starter then contact them and they should replace it as they have sent the wrong starter motor.

Hi John,this is what I suspected that Ive been sent the wrong starter,hopefully they'll be open tomorrow,no rush as the weather is **** anyway. Thanks for the info.

C

Submitted by chris_moorhouse on Mon, 02/04/2018

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Previously iain_brown wrote:

I agree with John, sounds like you have been sent one for the wrong polarity and so you should ask for a replacement.

Alton can provide instructions for changing the polarity, i have just done it on mine (+ve to -ve earth), it involves pulling the starter motor apart and changing the orientation of the brushes by 90 degrees. Not something to do for a supplier error though.

Thanks Ian, appreciate the help as this is quite an ordeal .

C

Previously john_holmes wrote:

Field coils or magnets are in the starter body, the bushes and coil relationship determine the direction a DC motor turns, so if you use a Harley Starter body which turns the opposite direction your bushes and field coils are 90 degrees out of phase. Connecting the battery the wrong way does not change the direction. If it's an Alton starter then contact them and they should replace it as they have sent the wrong starter motor.

Submitted by chris_moorhouse on Thu, 12/04/2018

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All fixed. Yes Alton did accidentally send me a starter with the wrong polarity but it was easily adjusted to +earth by cutting another notch in the magnet casing 90 degrees clockwise from the original one. Paul Hamon at Alton has been exemplary in his customer support skills and good use of English when emailing. Thank you to all the NOC members and Jerry Cox from Holt m/c club for coming to my aid.

Chris


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