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Had the Mamola on the Optimate during the winter months and went to fire her up this afternoon. Plenty of power (lights etc all working fine) but the starter motor sounds to be sticking - repeated "clicking" sound.

Any top tips for a speedy fix before I call BMW recovery?

I'd suspect that even tho' it's been on the optimate the battery has died.

Try putting it in gear and rocking it back and too, just in case it's got stuck but I'd still reckon the battery has deceased

If it's a gel type battery they sometimes need a boost charge from a "normal" charger as the trickle chargers don't seem able to feed them a strong enough diet of amps n volts

Try removing the starter cover and connecting a jump start lead directly to the feed?

The battery voltage might read above 12.5V but the ability to produce the current to turn the motor is no more. When connecting the Optimate make sure that it is switched off and only switch on after connected to battery. If you have always done it then the first suspect is the battery, either the contacts on the battery poles or starter has vibrated loose or you will need a new battery.

The Optimate does have a function to rescue the battery that is why it needs to be switched off before connecting it to the battery.

If the batterys good then try belting the solenoid ontop of the starter, carbon build up can mean they stick when not used regularly, will be ok after a good clubbing!

Colin - if you're getting a quickly-repeating 'clack clack' from the started when you thumb the button I'd be 99% sure it's just a sluggish battery. My first R1100R used to do it if not ridden for a few weeks. Overnight on the charger and all was well again. With doing what Steve says though, give the starter/solenoid a swift clout with a plastic mallet.

I don't use an Optimate now as the one I had killed the battery/reg-rec/alternator on my Blackbrid.

Gents, thanks for the comments.

Update to follow.....

leasky wrote:Had the Mamola on the Optimate during the winter months and went to fire her up this afternoon. Plenty of power (lights etc all working fine) but the starter motor sounds to be sticking - repeated "clicking" sound.

Any top tips for a speedy fix before I call BMW recovery?

BE CAREFUL WITH THIS !!!

Try a different battery by all means, but be aware of the relatively common starter fault with BMWs. The plate that separates the planetary gearbox in the end of the starter motor (and keeps the grease in) works loose and shorts onto the windings of the armature. This gives a 'hit and miss' or slow starter for a while before it locks solid, having welded itself onto the windings.





I have replaced several of these on bikes I have had in for service and now regard it as a 'service check' item.

It's a relatively easy fix and Motorworks do an exchange unit

Sounds like a weak battery to me too. I had this three springs ago, same situation. I am still using the 'dead' battery as a slave in the workshop to power the electric tyre pump, but it would not be any use on the bike.

Clicking solenoid is also an indication of poor connection of either the live to the starter motor or the main earth strap to chassis. Either of which can be come "dry" or furry and give you the clicks...........

Interesting to read how an Optimate killed a battery - I lost 2 batteries that ran dry and warped the plates. I blamed the shop for not filling one of them properly. Fitted a third battery six months ago (filled it myself) and I've just discovered that almost all the electrolyte has gone. The altermator charges at 14.8v, so that seems okay. I can only think it's my very old optimate (which the bike lived on) that's been cooking the battery. Bit surprised, because I thought that an optimate was 'safe' for months at a time.

Buy a cheap car battery connect it to the bike battery with jump leads then connect the optimate to the car battery or just charge the car battery once a month for a couple of hours if you don't have an optimate or power in your garage