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Replacement Starter Brushes
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Replacement Starter BrushesI've read of several members having trouble with their starters and decided to do a little bit of research. One of the first things I did was to search VT posts to see what I could figure out. The first thing that I found out was that the brushes out of a 1980 1100 Goldwing will interchange with a two brush Virago starter. That post also mentioned that these are Mitsuba starters. I started to consider that perhaps there is only a few different size Mitsuba brushes available and found what appears to be an answer HERE. If you notice they say that the "brushes" are interchangeable, but go on to talk about soldering the new leads to the existing terminals. This is helpful if you don't mind a little extra work to get your brushes installed.
My next step was to find out how the brushes would interchange within the various years of Virago's. This yielded some very interesting information, based on the parts cross-reference feature on Boats. Here's what I found out: Brush Interchangeability: Two Brush Starters 1980 - 1989 -- 700, 750, 920, 1000 and 1100 Virago's plus other models Four Brush Starters 1990 - 1999 -- 750 and 1100 Virago's and 2000 - 2009 1100 V Stars Brush Holder Interchangeability: Two Brush Starters 1980 - 1989 -- 700 (except 84 & 85), 750, 920,1000, and 1100 Two Brush Starters 1984 - 1985 -- 700 (I imagine the above brush holder would fit) Four Brush Starters 1990 - 1999 -- 750 and 1100 Virago's and 2000 - 2009 1100 V Stars Starter Interchangeability: 1981 - 1985 -- 700, 750, 920 2 brush (Short Shaft) 1984, 1985 -- 1000, and 1986 - 1999 700, 750, 1100 4 brush (Long Shaft) The two brush replacement starter is only available for 81-85 700, 750, and 920 bikes, all other have been upgraded to four brush starters. I think that I've read on this forum that it is possible to install four brush starters on 1981 - 1985 700, 750, 920 bikes but it will probably require upgrading the starter gears inside the crankcase. What is the purpose in all of this other than to note how the starters and brushes interchange with one another? If your looking for brushes then there are many options available to you, especially if you have a two brush starter, for example. Dennis Kirk Z1 Enterprises Here's some links for two and four brush kits: (use clockwise rotation kits) eBay Cycle-Re-Cycle Dennis Kirk 2 Brush Kit Z1 Enterprises Google It This info is primarily based on having brushes that will fit a Virago starter due to being able to interchange Mitsuba brushes, without forking over $30 each at a dealership or online. It is possible that a brush plate kit might have to be modified a little to fit the starter or you may have to relocate the brushes and springs to your plate. If I failed to properly research this topic pleas let me know so it can be corrected. Scott
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Good info, Scott.
Thanks! "Over the Mountains of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow, Ride, boldly ride" ... E.A. Poe Time flies --- whether you're having fun __ ![]() ![]() Any day above ground is a good day. so Laissez les bon temps roulez. just roll safely ---> Semper Vigilans --- always watchful "I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand." ... Confucius* If you don't read the news you are not informed. If you read the news you are misinformed. ... Mark Twain “THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated” Thomas Paine --- 1776 December 23 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views, opinions, and experiences expressed in this post are mine and may not necessarily represent views and opinions of other VTF members, so feel free to agree, disagree, or ignore them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: Replacement Starter BrushesOne thing that I forgot to add on the original post. Because of the similarity between these starters I've got a hunch that a four brush kit might fit into a two brush starter. If someone has one of each for comparison or we could get a picture of each with measurements then it could be confirmed.
Scott
![]() * Custom Paint * Vance & Hines Exhaust * V Charger Air Filter * 1-1/4" Drag Bars * harley Controls * MC Enterprises Highway Bar * Kuryakyn Pegs * Smart Blink Flasher -http://www.cadentech.com- * KJS Intake and Mikuni HS40 Carb * Hard bags hanging on custom supports * Facebook profile -http://www.facebook.com/Scott.Man- let me know your from VT Please help us help you. Include the YEAR and SIZE of your bike in your signature and make sure your signature is turned ON.
Re: Replacement Starter BrushesThank for all the usefull info man.
I'll set a bookmark on this thread for sure. Cheers, Al. ![]()
![]() Re: Replacement Starter BrushesHi Guys....
My first Post here on the Virago Forum... however want to compliment Scott of this very useful and applicable research. I hope that eventually as I rebuild my "new to me" Virago I'll be able to do likewise ! The question today is: Has anyone determined IF the 2-brush and 4-brush starters are interchangeable ?? Thanks in advance for your assistance with my project.... Best regards...........// Ernie in NH Ernie Duncan, Bristol NH
Bikes: '76 BMW R100/7, '95 BMW K1100LT '95 Kawa VN1500, '82 Yamaha XV750 Member: Airhead Beemers Club, K-Bike Owners Grp. Vulcan Riders VROC, American Deaf Bikers
Good un Scott
Gary “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end” Ursula K. LeGuin
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Thanks Graz and Gary
Ernie, I've heard or the mod being done on the older bikes and I think funkamongus has done it to his bike. Shoot him a PM and see if he can enlighten you, or if he will (maybe has) start a thread on how its done. Scott
![]() * Custom Paint * Vance & Hines Exhaust * V Charger Air Filter * 1-1/4" Drag Bars * harley Controls * MC Enterprises Highway Bar * Kuryakyn Pegs * Smart Blink Flasher -http://www.cadentech.com- * KJS Intake and Mikuni HS40 Carb * Hard bags hanging on custom supports * Facebook profile -http://www.facebook.com/Scott.Man- let me know your from VT Please help us help you. Include the YEAR and SIZE of your bike in your signature and make sure your signature is turned ON.
Ernie - Yes, you can get a 4 brush starter to replace the 2 brush - just bolt it on . . . eBay has them.
Gary “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end” Ursula K. LeGuin
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Re: Replacement Starter BrushesThanks guys...
From all the reading I've been doing here, it sounds like the "starter etc." is one of the Achilles Heels of the Virago Engine design, but one which has been solved by most of you.. EBay has 'em as does the "OldBikeBarn" ... so It looks like that's where I'll start ( 4 brush Mitsuba and replacement gear kit ) Very best regards and thanks again....// Ernie in NH Ernie Duncan, Bristol NH
Bikes: '76 BMW R100/7, '95 BMW K1100LT '95 Kawa VN1500, '82 Yamaha XV750 Member: Airhead Beemers Club, K-Bike Owners Grp. Vulcan Riders VROC, American Deaf Bikers
Re: Replacement Starter BrushesI'm running a new four-brush starter on my '81 XV750 and it's a huge improvement. Lots of power. There are others out there much less costly than Mitsuba, though. Here's the place I got mine; take a look: EMS Global Direct Starters. If I'm not mistaken, they also sell starter rebuild kits.
I've bookmarked this thread. Thanks for the research! Dan ![]() '81 XV750---Mods: Battery ground modification, forward controls, four brush starter, Jardine slip-on exhaust, custom seat. Riding my Virago is knowing pure freedom. ![]() PLEASE RIDE SAFELY!
Re: Replacement Starter Brushesi know its a old thread. but the info in it needs to be taken on some more..
my question is. and i think i read the answer (yes). can i convert my 2 brush 82 xv750 starter to a 4 brush without buying a starter?......dan 82 xv 750 skull on grips,levers,3rd brake and side covers.soft bags and tool bag, relay for coils, fresh inferno red, paint code PEL(red)
no time to do it right..always enough time to do it twice. it is if is isnt ![]() If it went together easy... you forgot something. when in doubt.... ground it out! http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=35947 (bare bones wiring81-83 xv750) http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=48895 (91 up xv750 bare bones) http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=36987(84-85 xv700,1000 bare bones)
Re: Replacement Starter Brushes![]() Current Toys...
2000 Vulcan 1500 E3 (CVK40 Single Carb-love it) Riding/sold 1996 Vulcan 1500 88 Project...got it running and sold 2003 Honda VTX 1800 (S) Abandoned Project or Parts Bike...Now my daily rider...LOVE IT !!! 82 Virago 750 Parts Bike 82 Virago 920 Project Bike Boy do I ever need to stop buying bikes...Know a good Doctor ??? Free Manuals http://viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=220&t=31501#p279545
Re: Replacement Starter BrushesI've wondered that myself. I'll make more popcorn if you try it!
![]() Naturally Aggravated
1981 XV920RH on its way to the café
Re: Replacement Starter BrushesDifferent bike and starter, same configuration. Norton Commando with Prestolite two field coil starter and four brushes.
Looks like you could install the four brush holder and reconnect the field windings to the same set of brushes as before then extend leads from each opposing brush to the other. This should connect opposing brushes in parallel to each other while maintain the proper polarity to the field windings. I'm assuming the eBayer has his facts straight. From what I can tell the Mitsuba starters are fairly consistent in the case sizes so the brush holder should work. Scott
![]() * Custom Paint * Vance & Hines Exhaust * V Charger Air Filter * 1-1/4" Drag Bars * harley Controls * MC Enterprises Highway Bar * Kuryakyn Pegs * Smart Blink Flasher -http://www.cadentech.com- * KJS Intake and Mikuni HS40 Carb * Hard bags hanging on custom supports * Facebook profile -http://www.facebook.com/Scott.Man- let me know your from VT Please help us help you. Include the YEAR and SIZE of your bike in your signature and make sure your signature is turned ON.
Re: Replacement Starter BrushesHere's another tid-bit of info I found in my search last night. Its not specific to Virago starters but is one of the most useful instructional videos I've seen. Thank you US Army for this little nugget from 1956.
![]() Scott
![]() * Custom Paint * Vance & Hines Exhaust * V Charger Air Filter * 1-1/4" Drag Bars * harley Controls * MC Enterprises Highway Bar * Kuryakyn Pegs * Smart Blink Flasher -http://www.cadentech.com- * KJS Intake and Mikuni HS40 Carb * Hard bags hanging on custom supports * Facebook profile -http://www.facebook.com/Scott.Man- let me know your from VT Please help us help you. Include the YEAR and SIZE of your bike in your signature and make sure your signature is turned ON.
Re: Replacement Starter Brushesscott
thanks for the new info and keeping up with it. i am stuck trying to get a p/n for the norton 4 brush kit. if i can find a kit i will buy one and try it on one of my starters...........dan 82 xv 750 skull on grips,levers,3rd brake and side covers.soft bags and tool bag, relay for coils, fresh inferno red, paint code PEL(red)
no time to do it right..always enough time to do it twice. it is if is isnt ![]() If it went together easy... you forgot something. when in doubt.... ground it out! http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=35947 (bare bones wiring81-83 xv750) http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=48895 (91 up xv750 bare bones) http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=36987(84-85 xv700,1000 bare bones)
Re: Replacement Starter BrushesIf you have the 4 brush starter, you can replace the long shaft with the short shaft, I believe and get the 4 brush in the early 750 that way.
Bill
"It´s a friggen motorcycle, it´s not supposed to be comfortable, quiet or safe. The wind noise is supposed to hurt your ears, the seat should be hard and riding it should make you s**t your pants every now and then. " Please take the time to edit your profile to show your location. City, State/Province, and Country. It is easier to help you if we know where you are. SERVICE MANUAL DOWNLOAD LINK http://viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=220&t=31501#p279545
Re: Replacement Starter Brushesthats the thing bill.. i do not have a 4 brush starter..
ok lets say i had one.. how do i get a 4 brush repair kit for it?? if they sell the 4 brush starter then they have to sell a kit?............dan 82 xv 750 skull on grips,levers,3rd brake and side covers.soft bags and tool bag, relay for coils, fresh inferno red, paint code PEL(red)
no time to do it right..always enough time to do it twice. it is if is isnt ![]() If it went together easy... you forgot something. when in doubt.... ground it out! http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=35947 (bare bones wiring81-83 xv750) http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=48895 (91 up xv750 bare bones) http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=36987(84-85 xv700,1000 bare bones)
Re: Replacement Starter BrushesI have seen some places selling repair kits for 4 brush starters. If I remember where, I will post it.
Found this... http://www.ebay.com/itm/STARTER-REBUILD ... 0391161799 The company is EMS Global... http://www.emsglobaldirect.com They would likely have ones for other 4-brush starters. 1985 Yamaha Virago XV700 ENGINEcycle
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