i just my bought my vision 3 days ago. now i have some problems. when i found the bike, it had a dead batt. so i jumped it and it wanted to and did turn over. but it did something i never heard a bike do before. it sounded like the starter was just spinning it did not sound like it was hitting anything. as i said i never heard a noise like this. i was wondering if maybe i have an oil leak or missing a lot of teeth. i know one way to find out to just to pull it off and look for my self but i ran into a lot of problems trying to do just that ( missing a lot of tools) my ford hammer cant remove a starter. oh yeah i almost forgot i just called my local yamaha dealer a new starter cost $699 plus freight.
more info on my V '82 was sitting all winter in heated storage it was laid down last summer and ran afterwards (wasn't laid down that hard only the flaring and footpeg damaged) it has no visable rust anywhere (thank you alaska!!) and the only other things that i saw wrong was the petcock was clogged. and the pre. owner jerryriged the head light a little all in all pretty good shape i think......
Welcome to the forum. Make sure to update your profile with your location as you might have some other visionaries in your area that can help you out in person. We have several Vision owners that are spread out across the country with groups in TN, CO, CA, and a bunch in Canada. Hopefully you are lucky enough to live by someone instead of like me and being the only member in Maine. Poor me, no one to help me out for 100+ miles :'( ;)
Let me guess you are hearing just a "whiring" sound coming from the bottom front of the engine (that is where the starter is)? If I am correct at guessing what you are talking about then most likely your problem is your starter clutch is not engaging. This is a comon problem with Vision, but once the fix is done you don't have to worry about it again.
PM Lucky (one of the senior members on the site who know just about everything about these bikes ;D) and order his maintenance cd. It has both the Yamaha service manual and the Haynes manual on it along with a parts fiche and lots of other good information about these bikes. Then check out Lucky's site www.xz550.com and check out the starter clutch page. Step by step instructions about how to get the starter clutch off the bike and how to do the fix. It is a fairly easy fix, just make sure that you have the harmonic balancer or gear puller hooked up right or you will cause yourself some headaches (I learned this the hardway :-[).
Don't worry about the getting a new starter, you can rebuild the starter on your bike for only a little bit of money. Usually the problem with the starters is that the nose seal has allowed oil to leak into the starter and gums it up. Very easy fix and you can change out the brushes while you are in there (if needed). If the windings need to be repaired you can take it to an altenator shop and have it redone for $100 or less.
Make sure to get a good metric ratchet set and a set of metric allen wrenches (for taking the side covers off and a few other things).
depends, it could also be the solenoid not engaging the starter motor to the flywheel
got a BFH?
Quote from: kwells on May 29, 2007, 03:06:58 PM
depends, it could also be the solenoid not engaging the starter motor to the flywheel
got a BFH?
I guessed the starter clutch because he said that
Quoteit sounded like the starter was just spinning it did not sound like it was hitting anything.
If it was the solenoid wouldn't it just making a clicking sound from the solenoid clicking on and off?
I would start by cleaning the connections. Can bench test the starter but make sure you have a way to secure it or it will torque itself off the bench. Start with the starter and then work to the starter clutch since it's a bit easier that way.
Oh my, factory starters are now up to almost $700.00!!!!
What more can you tell us more about the Vision you found. Do you know how long it may have been sitting around, covered or out in the weather, how many miles are on it?
I just checked his profile and he is located up in Alaska. I think he will be in the same boat as me and not have anybody in his area to help him out in person. Sounds like a fairly simple fix (starter or starter clutch).
Quote from: dj on May 29, 2007, 04:50:22 PM
I just checked his profile and he is located up in Alaska......
:o :o
Serious Rider!! That explains his member name for sure ;)
Hang in there coldvision, you are in good (warm) hands :D!
you guys just need to learn the tricks to buying electric bike parts-
go to e-bay, vendor name a#1starterman, also listed as "14rebuilders" e-bay store.
i have bought starter rebuild kits from them, great price, quick delivery. they also handle rebuilding for you, or get you a new one ,from oem specification. way cheaper than 700.00.
they can also get any electrical part we could ever need, you just have to ask.
i got new generator armature, 20 percent of retail cost, still new in box, alternator for a friends boat, a new generator for a 1952 VW split window my brother in law owns ,and more. good prices, easy negotiations and the ability to fill the bill, good guys . and if something doesnt work right, they make it right !
If coldvision ever needs to warm up, he can always use the frying stator! ;D
Welcome to the forum, coldvision. Looking forward to tales of 24 hour daylight rides! 8) At least with your short riding season, you can make the most of each riding day.
H2O
insomnia ala vision style
ok i have another question many have said something about a stator what is that the only other bike ive owned was a kick start honda and as for 24 hours of light I LOVE WEARING MY SUNGLASSES AT 2 IN THE MORNING
there are some that 'claim' to have stator issues. They tell of stories outlining how they burn themselves into a crispy oblivion and cause electrical system failures. I personally am not yet a believer of these Visionary myths that have spread forth as gospel. But hey that's just me.
i agree with kwells on this one :o!
"I Wear My Sunglasses At Night" should be the official Alaska motorcyclist's theme song. ;D
"And I wear my sunglasses at night
so I can
so I can
Keep track of the visions in my eyes."
As an owner who has fried three stators in three years (actually, a little less than that) I can attest that it is no myth.
The stator is the electrical generator for the bike. Your kick start Honda probably had one as well. there are several theories as to why they fail, but the consensus is they overheat. The cause of the initial failure is still under some debate. I think the two aftermarket ones I burned up in the last two years were faulty / poorly wound or insulated.
On the Vision, the stator is located behind the left side engine cover. I now keep a spare stator on hand & have a Cometic gasket (reusable) so if this one goes, I can be up & running again in a few hours. I have a used OEM stator in it now. It charges steadier & the bike runs cooler than it did with either of the aftermarket units installed. Many of us have installed a volt gauge or other charging system monitor to keep tabs on stator health.
Some owners have never had a problem, while others - like me - have had more than our share.
H2O
Quote from: h2olawyer on May 30, 2007, 01:27:31 AM
"I Wear My Sunglasses At Night" should be the official Alaska motorcyclist's theme song. ;D
"And I wear my sunglasses at night
so I can
so I can
Keep track of the visions in my eyes."
As an owner who has fried three stators in three years (actually, a little less than that) I can attest that it is no myth.
The stator is the electrical generator for the bike. Your kick start Honda probably had one as well. H2O
Hey H2O, I didn't know you were a fan of Canadian pop rock artists of the 80's... :)
I'm willing to bet coldvision's Honda had a magneto, not a stator... ;D
Anyways, hi there coldvision, and indeed, as you've probably figured out by now, members in here are the best source of info to get your Vision running. Be patient, and you will get the wanted results.
Weird noises when trying to start, aside than coming from the starter clutch, can also come from a loose balancer gear driving gear (located conveniently just behind the starter clutch). Both a bit of pain to fix, but worth the effort...
Cheers!
Lou
Quote from: louthepou on May 30, 2007, 06:19:43 AM
Weird noises when trying to start, aside than coming from the starter clutch, can also come from a loose balancer gear driving gear (located conveniently just behind the starter clutch). Both a bit of pain to fix, but worth the effort...
Cheers!
Lou
;)...Which means that when you remove the left side engine cover to remove the flywheel...to do the starter clutch repair, the 46mm nut is right there to be tightened before you re-install the flywheel...AND check your stator :o...and yes, I've blown two stators, (in less than a year), done the starter clutch repair/balancer nut on two of my '82 Vision's and have the cover off of my recently acquired '83 to replace the stator and do the necessary/obligatory starter clutch/balancer nut... ;)
In the two years that I have been a member of this "Family" I have acquired six Vision's... :o three of which where donor bikes and have helped others, (as well as me), to keep their "V"s up and running... 8)
"Hooked", you may say
..."Hell YES" say I..."and proud of it" 8)
Oh, and welcome to the ROV "Family"...THEE only place for a "V" and its "keeper"... ;D :D :D :D :D :D... ;)
8).......TIGER....... 8)
not wanting to sound ignorant, i know it warms up in Alaska, but Visions are cold blodded, they like nothing more than to sun themselves in a nice warm driveway.
go with a lighter weight (10/20-W40) for cooler temps, anything under 55 degrees. Too thick of an oil will allow the starter clutch to freewheel at times. avoid automotive oils with friction modifiers, they will mess with your clutch plates.
if it just plain freewheels all the time, then you'll have to do the starter clutch mod.
can you bump start it?
--Lucky
yes it does warm up here it gets to any where around 65-95 all summer,,, day and ..well..night as for the colder temps everyone seems to run 5-w30 in the winter but while snow flies my little v will spend winters in a heated garage
it does not freewheel all the time it does engage but not for very long and as for bump start not at this time she is about a dozen pieces tonight i am getting the tools i need to pull the starter and (hopefully) rebuild it i guess it helps that i work at napa as tools and hardware are right there as i leave although i don't know where to get a new/OEM stator i could try my yama dealer but they don't carry old bike parts
thanks for all the help and support
You will need to get it running to see if you need a stator or R/R (regulator / rectifier). OEM stators are still available from Yamaha (expensive - like $300+). Occasionally come up used on eBay (questionable if they're any good). Aftermarket sources - Electrosport, Ricks & one out of Canada who sells on eBay - all around $130. Also Tim Parrott Enterprises - under $100 & occasionally sells on eBay as well.
lou - As for music tastes - call me eclectic. Listening to '40s on 4 (XM radio available on satellite TV) at the moment - big band stuff. Like about anything except that hippity hop / rap crap. I even listen to the occasional opera! Current favorite, however, is bluegrass / newgrass. The Seldom Scene, New Grass Revival, Bela Fleck, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, stuff like that.
H2O
The continuity test for stator failure can be done with the stator in your hand. Welcome to the Family.
after spending a few dollars, cussing at my bike a bit i have gotten the starter off and apart. i think the pre. owner had put loctite on the starter bolts. after i took it apart i saw that it was clean. no oil inside the starter. oil seal working just fine but one of the o-rings was missing. so as per everything, everone has said i went to remove the left side engine cover. but i could'nt do it! more loctite >:( so today i will try to get a better tool for the job
Quote from: coldvision on June 02, 2007, 12:15:40 PMi went to remove the left side engine cover. but i could'nt do it! more loctic >:( so today i will try to get a better tool for the job
HA! shoulda used Velcro, lol
more problems!!!! oh well i dont mind so much. i like seeing my bike in the garage, in pieces while im up to my elbows in oily cat litter........ :-\ i kinda need to know how much oil do you put in these bikes? before i try to get to start 4 hours later... as of now oil filled,,,, tryed to start and now im worse off then i was before. now all it does is click when i hit the starter.. :( :( i am about to give up i need some help. i am not inept after 2 days and 20 dollars working on any old ford motor i can get it running but im out of ideas on this bike.
2.9 (3) quarts
it doesn't take much to wear down a Vision's battery, they won't fire under 10V or so (the electronics won't let it). Plus they need decent craking speed too. so jump it off a good, non running car battery.
Vision Zen:
When working on a Vision that won't start in the garage, have the door open & the exhaust pipes facing out..... & it has nothing to do with fumes
;) ;) ;D
Quote from: Lucky on June 03, 2007, 07:27:31 AM
have the door open & the exhaust pipes facing out..... & it has nothing to do with fumes
And wear ear plugs.
CV - this is an intervention. Step away from the Vision and go to your happy place before you do something that you regret. :o Take your time and keep plugging away at it.
I've been working on mine for almost a year now and still don't have it running again. I do however remember the 2 times I had it on the road and can't wait to ride her again. These bikes are amazing to ride once you get the gremlins out. Just remember the longer the gremlins have been in the bike the harder they are to evict. ;D
Quote from: kwells on May 30, 2007, 12:57:37 AM
there are some that 'claim' to have stator issues. They tell of stories outlining how they burn themselves into a crispy oblivion and cause electrical system failures. I personally am not yet a believer of these Visionary myths that have spread forth as gospel. But hey that's just me.
I mocked all those crying the stator blues as well, up until the bike died going thru a nj parkway toll booth. I took the headlight fuse out and bumped it and got just enough voltage out of it to make it to work. Bought a trickle charger at work and charged the battery. Made it home and took the stator out. Sure enough, KFC goodness. Crispy style. That was at 9k. I have 13k on it now and a volt meter. All seems right as rain.