Re: i think i broke something (starter won't turn)
 

Sounds like the solenoid is on it's way out.

Re: i think i broke something (starter won't turn)
 

Not sure how relevant this is with a bike, but on a boat with a big american V8 we used to have the starter would do nothing every now and then- it seemed to have a dead spot on it, gave it a few bats with an oar, and away it went! Could be when you took the starter off it got it off the dead spot- just a thought!

Re: i think i broke something (starter won't turn)
 

Yeah it could be that too! I remember having problems with both on my minis. Sometimes it was bridge the solenoid with an allen key and others it was hammering the starter motor. Literally.

Re: i think i broke something (starter won't turn)
 

hmm, that makes sense. taht commutator thingy inside the motor might have a dodgy segment or two...
well, i'll have to see how it behaves in the future.

thanks for the insights.

Re: i think i broke something (starter won't turn)
 

Mine did that, it turned out the starter motor had sticky/worn out brushes. I stripped and cleaned the starter motor ans squirted a tiny bit of WD40 on the sides of the brushes.