New Starter motor

Hi All,
Came across this post and thought it sounds a good idea, anything to help with starting. I have still got the original engine with standard manifold and exhaust fitted. Does this mean it should be a straight swop using the Ratsport High Torque starter. It looks like I have what the workshop manual describes as an Eclipse Drive starter whatever that means, I assume it is a bendix drive, that is what it looks like. If the Ratsport comes with solenoid attached I assume the existing remote solenoid would be removed and the cables extended to reach the new starter. Any ideas as to size of cable to use for this. Any help with this would be much appreciated, I have booked in to Gaydon in July so it would be good to get this done before then.
Cheers Malcolm.
 
Mine has been fitted for years and still uses the original type solenoid. I'm pretty sure I fitted a longer lead but can recall the size sorry. You do need to be careful of the orientation as in certain positions (the body of the starter can be rotated) it gets very close to the exhaust.
 
Same - I still come off the old remote solenoid, been a long time since I did it but think it just made it easier to wire.
 
I have been doing some research online and from what I understand you can leave everything in place, Connect the old main starter feed to the new starter and bridge from that terminal to the terminal that energizes the solenoid on the new starter. It looks like this should be fairly straight forward without the need for any rewiring. Looking under the van it looks like to remove the old starter you have to withdraw it towards the exhaust. any idea if this can be done without moving the exhaust. I have sent a request for information to Ratsport but no reply yet.
Thanks again for your help. Malcolm.
 
I gave up on Ratsport as not answered on two online requests or the phone , ordered one from Auto Electric Supplies on Monday(yesterday) it was delivered today (Tuesday) ordered - LMS033 - £252 . No need to remove the exhaust for removal of old one . Not yet fitted the new one as have bike stuff to do first but let you know when I get round to it . Good luck , Ken
 
I have tried twice with Ratsport without success. Thought about ringing them but after what you have said I don't think I will bother. If they cannot answer queries it make you wonder if you would ever receive your order. Are you going to leave the original solenoid connected and just connect the new starter with bridge to energise the attached solenoid. I am assuming the one from Auto Electrical has one. I look forward to hearing how you get on with the change Ken.
Cheers Malcolm
 
Hello Malcolm , I am not sure how I will fit it , I've never had electric starter on anything before so don;'t really know ?? Besides , I have lot of work to do on a couple of bikes that must be done before the starter . Saying that , I want to get it done by end of June ! Earlier would be nice ! I removed what the book says is ''starter switch'' , presume that is the solenoid ? and have to read up on the instructions on the one from AE . Which is a Wosp starter . I will try and work out the easiest method as not too keen or knowledgeable on electrics ! Good luck , Ken
 
Well Ken, on your say so I have ordered a starter from AES so if it all goes wrong I can blame you. No, being seroius I phoned them this morning and they were very helpful. It sounds like it should be a straight swop with the original. I have decided, in case there are any problems I am going to get my mechanic to do the job, he loves playing around on the van. You say you have removed the solenoid, I am going to leave mine connected and according to AES if you do this all you need to do is reconnect the main cable on to the new starter and then attach a supplied link to the solenoid attached to the new starter. If it helps my solenoid is mounted on the 'inner wing' by the air cleaner duct. Not sure when this will be done, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. If you haven't done yours by then I will let you know how it goes. Hope you get all the jobs done on your bikes. Cheers Malcolm
 
I'm sure you'll be happy with it , they were very helpful with me . Nice to have a mechanic ! send him my way when he's finished :) I haven't thrown the original solenoid away , I just wanted to make sure the contacts are clean and it works . Good luck , looking forward to hearing how it went !!
 
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I (had a) WOSP starter put on my 1961 a few months ago. Only due to it being a 1500 cc did it need fettling at the cogs, else would have been a very simple swap (so said my friendly mechanic...)
 
Mechanic came today to put the new high torque starter on. It turned out to be a straight forward job, so much so that I could probably have done it myself, such is hindsight. We left the original solenoid in place, so the new starter was a straight swop, no rewiring necessary. The only thing needed was to open up the hole on the battery lead lug to fit on the new connection. It certainly sounds different, all I need to do now is give it a good try before going to Gaydon on the 20th. Have you done yours yet Ken?
 
Hello Malcolm , good news , glad it went well , not done mine yet but hope to within the next two weeks , still playing with bikes but near the end till I go out again and break something else ! Don't you just love old vehicles !! always something to do or play around with !
Jimberlake - where does the bridging wire fit ? Thanks , have great drives .
 
Hi Ken. Assuming you are going to use the original remote starter solenoid, the bridging wire goes from the battery terminal on the new starter to the solenoid mounted on the starter. If this is how you are going to proceed there are only two connections to make. The main battery and the link to the solenoid. There is only one connection this link will fit on to so no worries about getting it wrong. Hope all goes well when you get around to it. Perhaps stay off the bikes to avoid causing anymore work. Good luck.
 
Hello , just going through the fitting instructions , did you fit the ''cold start lead'' ? or insulate it . Is it a good idea to fit it or ignore it at first ? also does the main battery wire to the new starter go via the original solenoid ? as with the old starter ? Hoping to do this week !
 
Hello , the good news and the bad news ! I amazed myself and fitted the HT starter and even better , it works a treat !! but Commer still silent so looked further and removed the petrol pipe ! I know I have petrol but pressed starter button and no petrol coming out ! Removed the diaphragm from the sender unit and it looks good BUT I bought a new one at little expense and fitted that . First of all checking the unit was working ? out with the plugs , turn engine with the cooling fan , the diaphragm did go up and down . I have no idea how much it should but there is movement ?
I removed the top of the sender unit and thoroughly cleaned that and valves work and all seems good after I tightened the loose suction valve , I thought all will be well now but no difference . I did remove the complete unit and all seems OK and no wear on the rocker arm .
I have looked on line for a suitable replacement as would like to keep a mechanical pump . Does anyone know where I can get one or have one they can let me have , even just to try it compared to mine . Your price etc !! Thanks for help and encouragement ! Want to get back on the road and reliable . Ken
 
It could be you have a blockage in the pipe from the fuel tank. Unfortunately these tanks are notorious for causing trouble as the painted lining flakes off and forms, what we call, snakeskin. You could try blowing back into the tank with an airline or even a bike pump or tyre inflator - but take the petrol cap off first so you don't pressurise the tank. Just a thought - is there a fuel filter in the line before the pump? if so then is could be blocked with 'snakeskin'
Another trick to draw fuel through is to take the elbow off the top of the carb and put the palm of your hand over the carb as you crank the engine, this will 'superchoke' the system and hopefully pull fuel through.
Good luck
 
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