Is my starter dying??

[mx_ritchie13]

Morning blokes,
                   if someone could give me some advice I'd most appreciate it. When I was starting my bike to go to work on Saturday there was this rattling noise as it was starting.  I couldn't see anything and the bike ran lovely going to work. I got there stopped the bike and went for another start,it started with no rattling noise. Went to start the bike to go home and the noise was there again. When I got home I tried it again with no rattling. I did pop into Suzuki on the way home and he wasn't sure if it was the starter as it's only done 22000 miles. He's told me to monitor it this week and come back if it carries on. Does anyone know if it is the starter motor and if so does that mean a complete change or is it an overhaul as I read somewhere on here about replacing the brushes. By the way it made the same noise starting up this morning too. Cheers in advance blokes.  

Ritchie

 

[Oop North John]

How old is the battery?

[hookie]

If it happens again try to find out if the noise is coming from the starter itself or the starter solenoid switch. A clicking noise can be caused by the solenoid making and breaking contact. This can be caused by bad screw contacts (loose or corroded leads or nuts) on the solenoid, a battery that is getting flat or on the way out or a faulty solenoid itself. All these need to be checked and fixed if needed and if the problem persists then the starter needs checking, although in my opinion I think that this is unlikely to be the problem.

[mx_ritchie13]

Thanks blokes,
                  the battery is the original so it's just over two years old now.

Ritchie

[Oop North John]

Have you tried giving the bikes battery a bit of a help by using jump leads?

[mx_ritchie13]

Thought I'd just let you know, the bike is still going. That noise is intermittent now, some days it'll be there and some it won't. The blokes at my local store says it could just be where the oil pools in the bottom of the casing until it's started, but to be on the safe side it's booked in for this Friday for peace of mind. Then again if there's nothing wrong with it then I am loathe to pay for nothing, I think I'd rather look an idiot and pay the money than do nothing and lose my ride. My ride is my freedom after all!

Ritchie