PhilipJ

So I'm enjoying my ride and some idiot cuts me off ... very rare occurrence for me as I'm usually on empty roads, and am extremely cautious on busier roads ... in my momentary panic I pressed the starter instead of the horn button.

My question: Did I bugger up the starter? I was going maybe 5 mph in 1st or 2nd, and pressed it briefly a couple of times ... and of course when I got home, before I shut down the engine, I HAD to try the starter to see what happens when you do so! The starter still works but sounds a bit different now when I start her up ... seems like there's a whirring sound after she starts up ... but this may be in my head! I ASSUME that a) many of us have done the same thing and b) the starter is designed to withstand at least a few instances of this.

The incident is a good reminder that we should force ourselves to think about and practice emergency actions ...

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fastpakr

Starter should just freewheel if it's engaged while the engine is running. I've done it once or twice, and most everybody else probably has at some point as well.

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'99 Vulcan 500 - current DD, 27k miles and counting
'83 Honda Silverwing GL650i - future DD, still in pieces

Buickguy

I have pressed the starter on mine while running a few times back when I would switch off between a BMW K75 and the Rebel (Please understand the the turn signals on the K bike are actuated where the horn and starter switches are on the Rebel)
I found the the starter safety interlock prevented the starter from ever getting power.
Of course, if you had pulled in the clutch and thumbed the starter, then it would get power but the starter clutch should have prevented any major damage.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

flitecontrol

Me too. More knowledgeable folks have written that bike starters and cage starters are different. It's not good for the cage, but won't hurt the bike.

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

cagie

IIRC, don't some years need to have the kickstand down and clutch pulled to engage the starter?

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

shadetree

While I don't think it will hurt the starter itself, the starter clutch may suffer a little.

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Buickguy

My '87 doesn't have the sidestand interlock (rubber "foot" instead) but it does have the neutral safety and clutch switch.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

cagie

Mine does too. but no kickstand switch.

__________________
Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

Soul Searcher

Greetings PhilipJ,

No harm, no foul. The starting system on the Rebel is known as an over run clutch type. Meaning the only time the starter clutch will engage is if the engine is stopped or turning less than 250 rpms. Once the engine starts, the starter clutch will automaticaly go into the overrun mode when you release the starter button.

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BillA

On my Honda ST-1300 forum the same question was asked. As it turned out, with the "out of neutral safety" , "side stand safety", etc. The starter button did nothing when hit but to turn off the headlight for the brief instant you pressed the button. Some folks would use it to blink their headlights, for what ever reason...there are many. There was absolutely no starter engagement.
I have not verified this effect on the 250 Rebel, as I had just thought of it reading the thread.
I might verify this.

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