Slow turn over on 851

cmd

I've been reading the posts on issues with the sprag on the 851/88 and I realised that when I go to try and start my 851 it does turn over veeeeery slowly. Sometimes I have to press the button a couple of times depending on whether or not it hits compression before the motor is turning over fast enough. Once spinning it speeds up a little and starts easily enough but it has me worried!.

The bike had been sat for 10 years so I obviously have replaced the battery and fitted the correct size Yuasa as my dealer had mocked the Motobat I fitted to my Aprilia Falco. So the battery is brand new and fully charged. When I replaced the battery on the Falco it went from hardly turning over to spinning over quickly so I do wonder if the Yuasa battery is just not up to the job and I should fit another Motobat or similar with better cranking amps.

dudlington

Maybe replace the starter cables and get an upgrade kit.............the Ducati ones degrade over time and the resistance goes sky high , hence the slow turning. I did that on one of my bikes and it was amazing the difference. Obviously try all the contact connections and make sure they are all clean as well. It might well also be the starter..............who knows. If your handy with a meter you can start to check things but it will be a process of elimination.

Here is a link for the upgrade kit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ducati-851-888-Starter-Cable-Upgrade-Kit-/282390601939?hash=item41bfcaa0d3:g:JhEAAOSwWxNYwugA

brad black

when i first got my 888 i used soldering flux on all the lead terminals to clean them up, and got an extra 2v to the starter. replace the cables. there's nothing wrong with the battery size.

wgsvintage

+1. Most likely just a good cleaning and Vaseline-ing your major + and - connections will get it spinning normally.

cmd

Thanks to all - I have a full set of replacement battery cables now and am in the process of fitting. I'll let you know if the new cables and cleaning everything as I go has an effect!

cmd

Well one job just seems to lead on to another! Tried replacing the battery cables but the one going to the starter motor was a problem as the nut holding the cable to the starter had rusted solid to the starter post and when I tried to free it the insulating washer on the post has just crumbled away to nothing.

So now it looks as though I will need to replace the starter as well - trouble is even this looks more difficult that I would have imagined as there are no visible bolts holding it on. Do I really have to remove the left hand side casing to get the starter off?? If so how difficult a job is this? I really don't want to keep chasing what was a simple problem (slow turn over) and end up dismantling the engine!

dudlington

Yes you have to remove the LH casing to access I think it is 2 bolts from inside. There is 1 bolt that has access from the outside on the RH side. A simple problem but one that is stopping you enjoying your machine. Sometimes the insides of the starter are completely crumbling due to age. I think most of us have been where you are now.