i think that what fried my starter was that it was engaging whilst in motion. I think the cause, is that the lil trigger wire was bound up against the 3 main wires from thh generator - seeing as this is an alternating current, i suspect it could induce a current in the trigger wire, hence making the starter go off.

What do you think?! Mad or fact

Is that the alternator you are talking about?
Alternators do produce AC but the current goes through a bridge rectifier before leaving and is a DC output.

Most jap Bike engines don't have an altenator, instead they use an AC generator running in an oil bath which supplies 3 phase 50v per phase to a seperate regulator/rectifier unit outputing roughly 13.5vDC weird but true.


Originally posted by nitram38
Is that the alternator you are talking about?
Alternators do produce AC but the current goes through a bridge rectifier before leaving and is a DC output.

Mmmm interesting one. I SUPPOSE an induced voltage could provide enough to operate a starter solenoid. I also think if it was engaging you'd have heard it. Try a screened cable for the starter trigger wire and see if that cures it. It might be enough to do the job, but like I say to me it's all hypothetical (but interesting).
You could also try and measure the induce voltage with a meter first,start the enine pull off the trigger wire and meter it while you rev the engine, and see if you get a reading.
Let us know how you get on though.

Check your ignition switch. I replaced my starter motor when it kept messing around.
After continuing problems it turned out the starter switch was at fault - sometimes it kept the contacts together operating starter continuously - other times it wouldn't send enough power to starter so it would barely turn over.

on alans advice, i added an interupter switch immediately beside the relay, and also by passed the bike fuse box (which contains another relay). The problem seems solved, even when i gave up on the switch. My suspicion is falling on the old fuse box, as im guessing the induced current would also be ac, hence it would have an odd effect on the relay.