Another tale of starting/stalling woe....

[sesumiloa]

Been having some strange starting issues with my '89 dom...

Since I bought this a month or so ago I've had some strange experiences with starting and stalling.

When starting I have just been getting a clicking noise...no engine turn over, so I've been starting it with the kick (20-30 kicks guaranteed). Took it to my bike guy and was told i needed a new starter 1-200 quid! Ouch.

That is until today..
I've just got back from a month in spain so went to get the bike out for a Saturday run and thought I'd try the electric start on the off chance it might turn over...it did.
Didn't manage to start the engine but we had a whurring.
but that was all.....just the once.
Now back to clicking.
But
I've noticed if I kick & hold the electric starter it fires up really quickly.
Anybody know what's going on?


The other thing.
The bike has also been stalling at every junction and traffic light (of which there are bloody hundreds in London), sitting ticking over nicely then suddenly dropping out...and generally running rough... until today that is....
now, when i give it some throttle as I throttle off it seems to linger at high rev's for several seconds until it returns to normal. but no stalling...??
Any help on either of these would be appreciated.
Ta,
David

[KirriePete]

Starting:

1. Check the battery is good - what happens if you get a jump from another battery?
b. Check all the leads between the battery and the starter motor, the connections corrode pretty quickly. Quick rubdown with some emery paper to get all the joints shiny, bolt back together and smear with vaseline to keep the weather out (that's the ONLY reason I've got a pot of it in the Shed - OK?).
iii. Starter motors are usually very reliable, they normally only pack up 'coz the brushes wear down. Easily taken apart to check the brushes which you can probably get from a local motor factor/auto sparky - don't tell 'em they're off a bike, just let them get a matching set.
q. While the starter motor is apart, give the slip ring a good clean up and get shot of any buildup of carbon dust from the brushes.

Quick edit to add - starter brush and holder from WEMoto for a tenner

Stalling - "they all do that sir", check the inlet rubber between the carb and the head is intact (weak spot at the bottom), otherwise do a quick search round here and see the varied remedies put forward.

You're welcome.