Topic: Stronger starter options for high compression or big bore motors

[gschuld]

There is a bunch of posts here and there on the subject, but I'd like to have a dedicated thread about it.

I have read some about the Hayabusa starters, some about installing factory 800w cb900 starters, some reference to a guy who will take a factory cb750 starter, rewind it, and modify it to become a very powerful starter.

I'd be very happy to hear about experiences with the above options and others that I may have missed. 

Also recommended battery options that have enough juice to make the stronger starters worthwhile.

My current application, for example, is a 10:1 compression 1000cc motor that requires an onboard starter/battery for a fully streetable use.

Thanks,

George

[Old Scrambler]

I use a CB900 starter on my Classic Bonneville Racer high compression 761 motor. Works great.  Would work on standard battery, but I use a larger capacity remote unit because I first run the starter for 15-20 seconds to establish oil pressure, and I want my on-board battery to be at full strength for maximum spark power.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

If you want a healthy does of cold crank amps, get a lithium ion battery.  Shorai makes high quality ones.  You will have plenty of cranking power on tap.

[dragracer]

George, I use a Honda dohc starter on my 13.5:1 , 1325cc Kawasaki. I do have my onboard starting system set up on 24 volts. I use 2 Anti Gravity batteries. A 16 cell to run the bike, and a 4 cell for my starter booster battery. Schnizt Racing has a tech page that shows exactly how to wire a 24 volt system.. My bike has a total loss system with nitrous oxide. It run a Pro Series 2 box.

[Retro Rocket]

One of our members uses a Hyabusa starter, I'm waiting on more details of that set up...

[johno]

So Den,
is any 900 model OK? any mods required to length or gears etc ?
cheers johno

[sohc boy]

have used cb 900 starters couple of times , CB1100R is higher output starter , but yea good luck finding one , have had this GSXR starter for few yrs ,forgotten era guy was useing it , jus had to make plate to adapt it to SOHC , fizzes up a 10.5 mota no prob , i use the CB900 starter gears for a bit of reduction , 5:1 as to 4:6

[PeWe]

CB900 or Suzuki GSXR starter motors to just plug in with an adapter plate, use CB750 sprocket on motor axis?

[Old Scrambler]

I suspect that not all CB900; CB1000; or CB1100F starters are alike. Several reports say the sprockets are different from those of a CB750 sohc but will still work. The unit I pulled from a '79 model had the same sprocket as the sohc so it was almost 'plug n play'..........it sat a few mm tall so the cover is not a snug fit on my '74 K cases.

[Don R]

 The 'Busa starter fits in the hole, it needs a flat plate with 4 holes in the other end, two to bolt to the engine and two to fit the holes  in the starter. a lot of these starters are made by the same company. Mitsuba maybe?  The gear is different but it seems to mesh good enough. The idea of using the 900 starter gears is a new one to me, For a do over I'd try the 900 deal. I've cranked my 1124 but didn't fire it up yet. I had a thread in the high  performance section. I read on the dragbike site someone in australia had done this so I tried it too.

[Don R]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,132400.msg1498183.html#msg1498183

[PeWe]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,132400.msg1498183.html#msg1498183

Very informative photos of the starters! Is the motor pinion on Busa starter motor possible to replace, use CB750 instead?
CB900 pinion fits like the CB750? This information is useful for a future build with 900 or 915cc.

[johno]

Thanks for the pics of Busa motor Don.

That Busa gear mesh looks fine to me , I would be confident it was OK.     I will see which are the cheapest out of Busa or CB 900 starters and   buy ,
cheers Johno

[sohc boy]

. JOHNO  i got CB900, if want , can get gsxr or busa just ask  ,have good mates with lota experience with CB900,750 1100 F, same starter except for 1100R, CB 900 gears fit in same as SOHC no mods ,SWAP BOTH , i used a 900 starter with stock gears , better but not ideal , so end up swaping the 900 gears (i was using a magneto at the time ) GSXR mota went straight in , but cover want fit

[johno]

Thanks Pete 
900 with 900 gears it is.
I'll send a email, cheers johno

[01Thomas]

Hi Dragracer
Could you tell me what Honda dohc starter you use on Kawasaki? The stock starter on my GPz1170 Bimota strugles manfully but I don't want it to struggle. I've heard that a Honda starter is more powerful and fits but no-one can tell me which one.

regards
Thomas

George, I use a Honda dohc starter on my 13.5:1 , 1325cc Kawasaki. I do have my onboard starting system set up on 24 volts. I use 2 Anti Gravity batteries. A 16 cell to run the bike, and a 4 cell for my starter booster battery. Schnizt Racing has a tech page that shows exactly how to wire a 24 volt system.. My bike has a total loss system with nitrous oxide. It run a Pro Series 2 box.

[PeWe]

I guess I must order direct before its too late! För next project...the pile of parts is growing

EDIT: Is the later CB900 Hornet motor with pinion OK too?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

. JOHNO  i got CB900, if want , can get gsxr or busa just ask  ,have good mates with lota experience with CB900,750 1100 F, same starter except for 1100R, CB 900 gears fit in same as SOHC no mods ,SWAP BOTH , i used a 900 starter with stock gears , better but not ideal , so end up swaping the 900 gears (i was using a magneto at the time ) GSXR mota went straight in , but cover want fit

Which years to the CB900 starters fit with no issues (cover fitting too)??

[PeWe]

One visible difference on photos I have seen on eBay is that the newer motor has its 12V connection going straight up facing the cover. The old CB900 look like CB750 sohc, facing sideways.

I do not know if the 12V connection is a problem hitting the cover or problem routing the cable.

[Retro Rocket]

I was looking at a GSXR starter motor yesterday, it looked almost the same as the Hayabusa starter but the wiring was in a better position. I might just take a 750 starter to a bike wrecker and troll through the starters and see just how many might work with our bikes...?

[dragracer]

Any starter from a 1980-1983 DOHC will work.  This includes the 900 and Cb1100f.

[sohc boy]

Any starter from a 1980-1983 DOHC will work.  This includes the 900 and Cb1100f.

... cover will fit , wont fit with GSXR.checked up on GSXR , one i have is 750 , dont know if 1100 is same ?,or higher output ?

[Retro Rocket]

Any starter from a 1980-1983 DOHC will work.  This includes the 900 and Cb1100f.

... cover will fit , wont fit with GSXR.checked up on GSXR , one i have is 750 , dont know if 1100 is same ?,or higher output ?

As far as i know, there's two different out puts on the DOHC starters, the early ones aren't as powerful as the later ones..

The GSXR one I saw yesterday had the pin and bolt further to the side, rather on top, like the Hayabusa starter...looked like it would fit in the case...?  I'll try find out what model it came from..

[Retro Rocket]

Her they are...   these were common on most 1990's GSXR1100 and 750...

[PeWe]

I found some data that can be useful
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/motorcycleapplication.html