Starter for my 1979 GS1000S makes a loud "Clunk" sound while starting...

[Guest]

Hello GSR members! Throwing a shout out to your collective knowlege!

When starting my 1979 GS1000S, the starter motor makes a random loud "clunk" sound while turning... so far it starts the bike, but of course makes me nervous. Is this likely the starter clutch? Is this hard to repair? I am a pretty advanced mechanic/restorer of old Suzuki's, although I admit most of my 33 bikes (yes I have 33 bikes - 30 of them old Suzuki's!!!) are two-strokes... Currently do have a 1981 GS-450S waiting to be "reborn" and a 1979 GS-1000S that has been reborn" (see photos), so I am here legitimately! - hehe!.

Thank you in advance for the feedback and thoughts!
Ride on!
Victor Montijo
San Diego

[Nessism]

Yup, sounds like the starter clutch. Not a difficult repair. Remove the stator cover, remove the rotor, remove the starter clutch. A puller will be needed to remove the rotor. The factory suzuki service manual will provide guidance. Download a free copy here...http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

[blowerbike]

wrong area....post here:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/forumdisplay.php?134-4-Cylinder-Engine-Drivetrain-Clutch

[GSX1000E]

Besides answering your own question, could you post some pic's of that very fine Cooley? And any of the rest of the fleet?

[azr]

Here's one from his album. Nice looking bike, did you do the painting yourself? I had a similar problem with an 850 once, just a random 'clank' when starting, turned out be a dying battery.

[azr]

Oh ya, welcome to the site. Now lets see the other 32!!

[hillsy]

I had a similar problem with an 850 once, just a random 'clank' when starting, turned out be a dying battery.

The "clank" on your 850 would still have been the starter clutch - it's just that the slower turning starter motor from a dying battery won't engage the starter clutch as positively as a fully charged battery - which can allow it to slip / kick back.

[Redman]

Hello GSR members! Throwing a shout out to your collective knowlege!

When starting my 1979 GS1000S, the starter motor makes a random loud "clunk" sound while turning... so far it starts the bike, but of course makes me nervous. Is this likely the starter clutch? Is this hard to repair? I am a pretty advanced mechanic/restorer of old Suzuki's, although I admit most of my 33 bikes (yes I have 33 bikes - 30 of them old Suzuki's!!!) are two-strokes... Currently do have a 1981 GS-450S waiting to be "reborn" and a 1979 GS-1000S that has been reborn" (see photos), so I am here legitimately! - hehe!.

Thank you in advance for the feedback and thoughts!
Ride on!
Victor Montijo
San Diego

Victor,

Welcome to GSR.

Would be better to post an introduction in "owners" section (preferably with pics of the 450S and 1000S and the 30 others), and post this technical discussion in one of the "technical" sections.

Just the fact that you know about and suspected the starter clutch is a good sign that you have some experience.

My daughter and SIL (Navy, Balboa) are in SD.
Will be visiting in February. Have posted about looking for interesting places to ride out there.
I can see it now, me saying to wife, "wanna go for ride and visit a guy that has 30 old Suzukis?"

Dave

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