Starter clutch

[Guest]

Ok, new here. I was advised from another thread by a member to head over here and post to get some info. I picked up my first GS model bike yesterday, an 1100. The owner said the bike needed a starter clutch. We push started it no problem, ran fine, etc. So I went out to the garage tonight to test the theory. Bike only clicked when I pushed start. Lights worked fine, days lights, head lights etc. I am going to get a charger tomorrow to make sure the battery is fine. The question I have is this if the starter clutch is bad will it still turn over just not catch and sound abnormal?
Like I said I am new to all this so I am learning as I go.

[Carter Turk]

If the 3 allen bolts have sheared off, mating starter clutch to rotor, then all you'd hear is the starter motor spinning, not the motor engaging. A click might indicate something else (?), but if the previous owner mentioned starter clutch woes, then I'd expect having to renew these parts <$200.

[Bearjew]

Sounded like a dead battery tonight. No spinning at all. I will update after a charge.

[blowerbike]

1100 shaft or chain?
what year?
80/81/82/83?

[Bearjew]

1983 shaft

[Big T]

Start your testing with a volt meter at the battery, or the battery wire to the solenoid, whichever is most accessable. You might need an assistant to push the starter button

Take readings at

Standing voltage
Voltage when you press the starter button
Voltage after

If the voltage drops to under 10V when you push the starter button, you likely need a new battery. Charge it up and test again. The voltage before and after should be 13-13.4 V

If the voltage is over 10V when you push the starter button, measure the voltage at the output post of the solenoid (wire goes to the starter). If it's too low, clean or replace the solenoid.

If the voltage at the solenoid output is 12V or more, it's time to pull the starter and bench test it

So far, you'll notice you're not doing anything at the starter clutch. That's because the easy diagnosis of the starter clutch begins with why the starter doesn't spin.

[Bearjew]

Thanks for the info Big T. I will check it out and post an update

[Bearjew]

Meter update

Ok so I checked the voltage. As you can see 11.42 Ish When I press the starter it drops to 10.98ish. So maybe not the battery.

[Bearjew]

I am going to charge the battery up to full charge and try again. The solenoid sounds fine, Clicks with authority, etc. I will measure the output after I charge the battery

[Big T]

Voltage overall is low. Should be over 13V

[Bearjew]

Ok, now. Battery charged, pushed start AND... click. So further testing told me I am getting power through the solenoid. On to the starter!!!
Took the cover of and done some pecking to see if the starter was stuck, it was. However once it broke loose it made some really nasty noises. Didn't turn over the flywheel, starter clutch, etc. Beginning to think it could be it or at least part of the problem.

[Bearjew]

Does the flywheel cover have to come off before I can get the starter out?
Doesn't seem to want to wiggle free

[tkent02]

No, it should just pull out. Is it rusted in place? Starter shaft rusted to the reduction gears?

[Bearjew]

Well, after tinkering and pecking turns out some stuff was just out of line or hadn't been utilized in a while. I wiggled the starter a lot. Found a screw loose that anchored it. Put it back in and for now it fires up just fine. Hits every time. Maybe it was just loose a needed some attention.

[Bearjew]

For now the problem is fixed