Starter Woes

[River rat]

I have an R1150R Rockster and at 17000 miles one of two bolt tabs holding the starter to the bike broke alowing the starter to get into the clutch splines. I found another starter on E-bay but after recieving it from a bike shop in Ohio found it to had a broke off bolt tab. This is on the French(?!)Valeo starter. I am now looking at having to split the bike to replace the ring gear and starter at 17000 miles this sucks! I haxe a 1985 R80RT with 247000 miles on it and have never had to open the engine, transmission , or driveline. I also have an 85 K100RT with 49000 miles on it and have had a few quirks but no real problems. No disrespect intended but one of my big supporting argumentsfor this bike brand is that it was all built in Germany, that blows that one down. It should have came with a Disclaimer.

[Lion_Lady]

Only 17000K miles? Where/how was the bike stored in between rides? Seems to me there's more to this than you're letting on.

P

[River rat]

Only 17000K miles? Where/how was the bike stored in between rides? Seems to me there's more to this than you're letting on.

P

No that was pretty well the whole enchilada, I wish I had a nice climate controlled garage but not so. I have had many probs with this model, considering the low milage, starting to question the quality of BMW's newwer bikes vs. their older machines. Like I had said, one of my main reasons for riding these has always been that every part of their machines right up to the bolts was all german and had the spinning propeller emblem on tham to prove it. Just the fact the French Valeo starters are unservicable, including the "glued-in fields" that come loose when overheated(?!). Fortunetly "Moto-Electric" outa Anchor, Alabama has modified Mitsubishi truck staters that are servicable, more efficient(80 vs 120 amp demand), and strong so I may go that route, though they are alittle pricier($350 vs $280). Wish I knew someone who has used one before I spring for it being just layed-off that is allot of Euros, err, dollars.