This is about an hour from me, just listed. Check out his description, he's creative. https://watertown.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2003-suzuki-tl1000r/6660495124.html
Finally got the TLR back together with 1080 cc pistons, 12:1 (real measured) compression and exhaust cams on the inlet side - which means no decompression system. Started and ran really well a few times, then the starter motor failed. Well the starter motor still turns the engine over with the spark plugs out, but is not even close to getting it over compression. Maybe it was already on its way out and just failed with the extra load - or maybe the stock starter motors are just not up for this game. Have looked on the TL forums without much luck... Would greatly appreciate any ideas about starter motors for big bore / high compression TLR´s Thanks ! Steve H.
You may be able to contact a local shop that specializes in alternators and starters and have them upgrade the motor. I know a few guys locally with motor transplants in cars that have done that as they couldn’t use larger starters.
Battery good? One of Sam’s recommendations back when I was building my 1080 was to take a few mm off the peak of the piston to cut down on compression. When he was building 1080 engines for others (or selling his kits), he would take 2mm off for race engines, 4mm for street, unless someone requested otherwise. His 1080 runs at 14:1. My 1080 is 12:1. Although it doesn’t get started all that much these days, never had any issues with the starter. I haven’t been on TLZ since Jensen sold it, am still on TLP though. If you need a starter, let me know. I have a few spares, price is whatever shipping costs.
Thanks ! Seems my problem was that I had relocated the battery - away to where things are a bit cooler. That required a significant additional length of wire from the battery to the solenoid. Was no problem at all with the stock engine. But with the big high compression engine the motorcycle battery had to be right off the charger for it to work. When we ran a jumper lead from my truck battery directly to the starter motor terminal, it spun up just fine...
Hey, saw this and thought of you guys. Could be a nice resurrection candidate https://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/d/tl1000r/6753945910.html