No reply from Alton is it just me??
- Thread starter toppy
- Start date
- Status
baz
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- May 26, 2010
- Messages
- 7,982
It was in 2007
SteveA
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2011
- Messages
- 3,402
You should try visiting again! UK debit card pretty universally accepted direct at many pumps today..... Not had an issue. Although I now habitually use a French card.
Belgium used to drive me mad, only Belgian cards used to work a garages and pumps...but I am talking 2000 ish.....Used to have to wait at petrol stations with cash in hand and beg a local to pay with a card and you paid them!
I think they have moved on too! Certainly just the same as France when I visited last year.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 3,104
Sorry you are having an issue with the starter. FWIW, I had absolutely over-the-top customer service from Alton back when I bought my starter in '12. They sent two replacement rotors (first replacement failed same as original) to me in Mexico - covering shipping AND customs duty. In both cases I had the parts within 7-8 days of sending them the email/pics of the problem. They also wanted the defective rotors back for inspection and paid for that as well! The 2nd replacement rotor was the new (current) type and my starter system has been flawless since '13. I'm sure they will sort out any issue!
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2009
- Messages
- 11,531
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 3,104
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2009
- Messages
- 2,994
Dave the hundred years war was quicker an i think as far as both sides are concerned never really finished 
After many many emails with just one reply to say they were out of the office i rang the original supplier to me. They said they did not supply Alton items an had not for a couple of years even though they are still on Alton website.
So i (after up grading my phone contract to international calls which was much hassle also) rang Alton they answered!!
The man said he was aware of issue i had an was about to contact me with the cost of parts which were in stock an so could be quickly dispatched. He thought the motor would be ok an due to its high cost unnecessary. I told him that in spite of fitting a new good quality 20ah battery the motor did seem to be struggling so i was prepared to replace it an for the cost it would involve. He said he would work it out an get back to me so am waiting to hear from Alton again
After many many emails with just one reply to say they were out of the office i rang the original supplier to me. They said they did not supply Alton items an had not for a couple of years even though they are still on Alton website.
So i (after up grading my phone contract to international calls which was much hassle also) rang Alton they answered!!
The man said he was aware of issue i had an was about to contact me with the cost of parts which were in stock an so could be quickly dispatched. He thought the motor would be ok an due to its high cost unnecessary. I told him that in spite of fitting a new good quality 20ah battery the motor did seem to be struggling so i was prepared to replace it an for the cost it would involve. He said he would work it out an get back to me so am waiting to hear from Alton again
SteveA
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2011
- Messages
- 3,402
Yes
Similarity to those other 'negotiations'...he tried to help and respond to your first request, and you moved the goalposts...and of course him not having an immediate answer to the new request would be his fault!
And your need to have international calls enabled to make international calls would also seem to now be his fault, really?, or did I misunderstand that comment?
I predict this won't end well!
Word of warning on your new 20ah battery, I bought one last year, a brand I have used and trusted in recent years, it won't turn my 750 twin over, let alone start it, but my little same brand 7ah one will, the battery is going back to supplier.
But......I have just seen a guy on another bike forum complaining that he contacted a very small UK supplier last week and has not had a reply yet.....reminder to all...
IT IS STILL AUGUST!
Dave the hundred years war was quicker an i think as far as both sides are concerned never really finished
After many many emails with just one reply to say they were out of the office i rang the original supplier to me. They said they did not supply Alton items an had not for a couple of years even though they are still on Alton website.
So i (after up grading my phone contract to international calls which was much hassle also) rang Alton they answered!!
The man said he was aware of issue i had an was about to contact me with the cost of parts which were in stock an so could be quickly dispatched. He thought the motor would be ok an due to its high cost unnecessary. I told him that in spite of fitting a new good quality 20ah battery the motor did seem to be struggling so i was prepared to replace it an for the cost it would involve. He said he would work it out an get back to me so am waiting to hear from Alton again
Similarity to those other 'negotiations'...he tried to help and respond to your first request, and you moved the goalposts...and of course him not having an immediate answer to the new request would be his fault!
And your need to have international calls enabled to make international calls would also seem to now be his fault, really?, or did I misunderstand that comment?
I predict this won't end well!
Word of warning on your new 20ah battery, I bought one last year, a brand I have used and trusted in recent years, it won't turn my 750 twin over, let alone start it, but my little same brand 7ah one will, the battery is going back to supplier.
But......I have just seen a guy on another bike forum complaining that he contacted a very small UK supplier last week and has not had a reply yet.....reminder to all...
IT IS STILL AUGUST!
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 3,104
FWIW, when I had the problem with my Alton in '12 I immediately contacted the supplier - Norvil. They were no help at all, basically telling me that whatever went wrong was due to (my) installation error. I had not thought of contacting Alton directly until a friend suggested it. They immediately handled it with no hesitation (twice, as it turned out).
The international calls enabling issue was nothing to do with Alton i know i added that as it seems like one of those times when anything that can go wrong will go wrong Sod's law Murphy's call it what you will.
I have asked for the same parts including the motor from the start. I appreciate that Alton is trying to save me money but like mixing old an new cogs in a gearbox i think in the long run it may be false economy to reuse the motor.
I am not convinced the motor may spin the engine better than the old but it was struggling an having had a GPZ 900R in the past i am aware on some starter systems not spinning the engine over quickly enough can cause problems.
I am hoping it does not end badly an once fixed the Ekit works as it originally did. I don't think it's a bad solution to the problem of retro fitting a starter an at the time i got mine it was the only commercially available unit that i was aware of as CNW kit is more resent. In future the CNW item may have issues who knows after all if the large companies like Kawasaki (GPZ known weakness) get it wrong what hope small independent concern.
Alton are helpful an as i don't speak French an yet they speak English any language barriers are of my making.
The problem is that of contact an speed of reply so from now on i will as had been suggested phone them it seems to get the best results.
I have asked for the same parts including the motor from the start. I appreciate that Alton is trying to save me money but like mixing old an new cogs in a gearbox i think in the long run it may be false economy to reuse the motor.
I am not convinced the motor may spin the engine better than the old but it was struggling an having had a GPZ 900R in the past i am aware on some starter systems not spinning the engine over quickly enough can cause problems.
I am hoping it does not end badly an once fixed the Ekit works as it originally did. I don't think it's a bad solution to the problem of retro fitting a starter an at the time i got mine it was the only commercially available unit that i was aware of as CNW kit is more resent. In future the CNW item may have issues who knows after all if the large companies like Kawasaki (GPZ known weakness) get it wrong what hope small independent concern.
Alton are helpful an as i don't speak French an yet they speak English any language barriers are of my making.
The problem is that of contact an speed of reply so from now on i will as had been suggested phone them it seems to get the best results.
SteveA
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2011
- Messages
- 3,402
An electric motor can be sluggish, but the biggest reason for that is often the battery. Otherwise it would brushes and a dirty commutator, have you used your enough to suspect that?
Seriously I have a hulking great big 20ah AGM battery here that won't start a bike that is going back to the supplier for replacement.
Just be sure, to do that it needs load testing.
Seriously I have a hulking great big 20ah AGM battery here that won't start a bike that is going back to the supplier for replacement.
Just be sure, to do that it needs load testing.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2009
- Messages
- 11,531
It’s not always the battery but having big enough cables and not good, but GREAT connections.
I have to say that having just fitted mine, with a 20 amp hour battery and complete new ignition system its difficult to imagine a situation where the motor is not strong enough. The cable supplied with the Alton are certainly substantial and as everything is new the connections are good. Mine now fires into life as soon as the motor turns. Hope you get yours sorted.
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 7, 2005
- Messages
- 7,202
If you follow the steps taken both by the factories and by mechanics to improve motorcycle starter motors on twin cylinder engines 750 and above these are the common steps in rough order.
1. Ratio of motor armature turns to crank turns 28 to 32.
2. Starters have 4 brushes not 2 on brush plate.
3. Upgrade to thicker cables.
4. Change of solenoids to higher amperage handling ones.
5. On the Mitsuba starters the brush plate to body surface joint has to take the full current and is made by the action of the 2 outer bolts, carbon can form in the joint from arcing and reduce the current the motor will take slowly over time, adding a supplementary wire from brush plate to body sorts that one. Not opened up a Nippon Denso one to see if it has the same issue.
6. Rewound armature by a specialist, performs better with 12V but best with 24V.
7. Additional solenoid that switches in a second 12V battery giving the starter 24V when the starter button is pressed, a rewound starter is needed.
1. Ratio of motor armature turns to crank turns 28 to 32.
2. Starters have 4 brushes not 2 on brush plate.
3. Upgrade to thicker cables.
4. Change of solenoids to higher amperage handling ones.
5. On the Mitsuba starters the brush plate to body surface joint has to take the full current and is made by the action of the 2 outer bolts, carbon can form in the joint from arcing and reduce the current the motor will take slowly over time, adding a supplementary wire from brush plate to body sorts that one. Not opened up a Nippon Denso one to see if it has the same issue.
6. Rewound armature by a specialist, performs better with 12V but best with 24V.
7. Additional solenoid that switches in a second 12V battery giving the starter 24V when the starter button is pressed, a rewound starter is needed.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 3,104
I agree. Can't imagine an issue with the Alton spinning the engine as far as the supplied motor/cables/solenoid, etc are concerned. The Alton and a Shorai 18 battery spins my Commando engine faster than the starter spins (spun) the engine on any other motorcycle I have owned. Obviously, poor connections somewhere could cause a problem but, unless there is a factory defect in the particular motor, you will not have an issue with an Alton spinning the engine too slowly!
- Status
