[jrmcswain]

Hello all,



I have a 1981 CX500D that after sitting a few months, the starter will not turn the engine. In fifth gear with the spark plugs out I can see the pistons moving, however it is hard to push. If the bike is on the center stand I can't really move the back tire in fifth gear with the plugs out. The clutch seems to disengage as it should. The Starter seems to work alright out of the bike. The starter gear turns freely in one direction, and I cant move it in the other. I put some 3 in 1 oil in the cylinders and let sit. I thought maybe the starter clutch is binding. I did pull the starter apart and clean it. Now I wonder if I put it together the wrong way and it's spinning backwards? Does the starter turn the starter/reduction gear in the easy direction or the hard direction? I am using an auto battery charger on 50 amp start setting directly to the starter lead (disconnected from selenoid) because the battery is no good. I probably won't tear the engine down as I am wanting a gold wing. So this may be a parts bike before long.



Jack

 

[Blindstitch]

Turning the rear wheel is always a pain. There is an inspection cover just behind the radiator. Take the plastic trip piece off the radiator to gain access to the inspection hole cover. Take it off with a 17mm socket. Then turn the crank there with a ratchet.

 

[richnct]

A 50 amp starter/charger may not be enough current with a failed battery. The internal gear is supposed to be freewheeling in the "backwards" direction, that is how/why it disconnects from the starter when the engine is running. The starter turns it in the direction the gear does not want to go. These bikes are difficult to turnover from the rear wheel. Easier from the 17mm crankshaft nut, below the radiator under the 17mm cap. I think your primary problem is a NG battery. Buy one and charge it up fully before trying to use it. That will probably get you going again. Battery problems cause an inordinate amount of unnecessary grief, and should be replaced as an early step in starting problems. Diagnosis of other problems cannot be done with a bad battery, as a general rule.

 

[Blue Fox]

Your battery charger will not supply enough current to crank the bike. Even on the 50 amp setting. You need close to 100 amps to spin the engine. You can jump the battery terminals from a car, using jumper cables. This will supply enough current. Don't hook up backwards, and don't start the vehicle. If you get a big spark when hooking up the jumpers to the existing battery, remove the bike's battery and just use the battery terminals. Your bike's battery could have a shorted cell and you don't want it blowing up.