Thruxton Starter Motor Oil Leak

Hey, i have finally discovered the source of a long-standing slow oil leak, the starter motor O-ring. I have ordered the new oring but I am having a tough time reinstalling the starter motor.. it's doesn't seem to fit back in place. Does anyone have any experience with this or tips to provide?

Thanks,

 

Thank you Don, I have tried that as you suggested but no luck. I may have taken on something beyond my ability but the starter seemed very simple to remove.. not so easy to put back! I have inadvertently removed the cap of the starter motor and I think I am not putting it back on correctly. Am I correct in assuming these small retractable metal blocks must "hug" onto the brass colored part of the starter shaft? If so i am not sure how best to do that...

 

Thank you for clearing that up! I had suspected that... This will require patience and a steady hand hah.

 

Don, thanks again. After spending more time then I would like to admit trying to get the brushes back onto the commutater, I found an even smaller screwdriver (one you would work on jewelry with) and finally got it back together.

Put the new oring in started her up, and the slow leak is still present.. I am now wondering if maybe the leak is coming from behind the round metal part which you install the starter into (starter receiver?) I removed the "starter receiver" and cleaned it, the oring holding it into the engine seemed ok. Gonna put it all back and try again. Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Nick

 

Yup, I had seen that thread. I found the starter diagram for my water cooled bike and I'm pretty sure I had ordered the correct oring. I cleaned everything out again and I will try and run the bike and see if the leak is there again... Third times the charm I hope!

 

So I have an update on the oil leak. I managed to replace the shaft seal and the oring which holds the starter into the bike engine but the leak is still present. I am still pretty sure the starter is the source of the leak. I have removed the starter, cleaned the area and rode the bike more than a few times now and I am still convinced. Does anyone have any ideas? The local triumph dealer has been unresponsive..

 

I will try investigating elsewhere as you suggest. But if you scroll to the top of the thread you will see a pic of the oil buildup inside the starter cap around where the starter shaft goes. Not sure if that is normal... also, the highest point that I see oil pooling is in the "troff" under the starter. I've cleaned and taken the bike for short 15 minute rides and it always re-accumulates there.

 

That first picture does show the green synthetic engine oil on the inside of the starter cap.. when it drops down under the starter it flows down that trough and towards the other side of the bike... I have not found another place the oil might be coming from...

 

No I there is no oil on the fins.. I thought at first the the gunk around the seal was a chewed seal but It cleaned out quite easily more like funk. I brought the starter to a seal specialist and he replaced my shaft sea with another similar looking one. I wish I could see the inside of someone else's starter to know for sure if I am missing an additional seal or oring of some kind.