Starter tune up

[Country Joe]

I know this is kind of simple, but the result was so surprising I just have to share.

I have always had minor starting issues with this bike. I have no idea how old the battery was when I bought the bike, but after 2 years I finally replaced the battery. The new one lasted about a week, it appears that it had an internal failure. The battery was replaced and started the FJ better than ever. But just for grins I took the starter out just to check the brushes and windings. The brush leads were bent around the brush holders and it appears that they were keeping the brushes from maintaining solid contact with the commutator bars. But the most significant thing I found was one of the screws that attaches the brush leads was finger tight. The tab on the brush lead and the tab on the winding lead both had a discolored spot where it was barely making contact. After checking the rotor windings, polishing the commutator bars, re-routing the brush leads and giving the rear bushing a shot of TriFlow, the starter now spins over the engine amazingly well.

[movenon]

Two years ago I had the same battery problem. Brand new battery. I called and they promptly sent out another battery. I asked if they wanted the defective one back and told me no that this happens occasionally. Anyhow I got a new battery and service was great.
Probably due for a new one.
George