How to Test Starter Motor? (Off bike during rebuild)

[305explr]

I just want to make sure the starter motor is working before I introduce other variables like wiring, etc. Can anyone offer any advice on how to do this? (i.e. directly from the battery?)

[LOUD MOUSE]

I use a 12 volt car battery charger. ..............lm

I just want to make sure the starter motor is working before I introduce other variables like wiring, etc. Can anyone offer any advice on how to do this? (i.e. directly from the battery?)

[305explr]

Thanks for the solution. For those who have a battery tender that _also_ helps start, that may be the ticket.

Because my tender is _only_ a tender, here's what I did: I took it to an auto parts store that tests starter motors. They hooked it up (+ to post on starter; - to ground - it took 2 tries for that. In the second attempt they clamped the - to the underside or far end of the starter itself). Then they held it down so it didn't spin out of control, gave it juice and VROOM! Off it went.

I imagine there must be auto part stores w/testing stations in/around most towns. Hope this helps folks.

[kustommusic]

305, Yes, alot of battery chargers now don't have a big honkin transformer in them any more. So you must use a battery or a good old timey charger to test things like starters. Glad you were "thinking on your feet" and took it to a guy with a real tester. Steve Greer

[cbxmountainman]

You just simply ground the starter body to the negative post of a battery and hit the large cable to the positive post. If OK, it will spin freely.