Bought replacement starter from Rick's Motorsports. Doesn't fit?

[Guy]

Hi,

One of us is confused. Let me see if I can clear this up.

The starter clutch is not in the starter itself. The new starter you have is probably just fine.

The starter clutch is in the gears behind the stator, under the stator cover on the left side of your engine. (Left side as you sit on the bike.)


The gear from your new starter goes through the starter cavity hole and fits on that smaller gear on top. Please forgive me if I state the obvious.

BassCliff

There's no confusion.
When the starter clutch starts to give trouble, it needs to be investigated and rectified.
If the symptoms are ignored for too long, ie: slipping, clanking and grinding of the starter clutch components, it can lock solid on the crank instead of freewheeling when the motor fires.
This is more likely to happen on the bigger GS motors, and more likely again if it's running a higher compression ratio than standard.
When this happens, the starter clutch gear will spin the idler and starter motor at a ferocious speed, shredding it in the process, and maybe stripping the gears as well.
This may or may not be his problem, but it does happen.
It's worth removing the stator cover and having a look.

[chef1366]

The confusion wasn't on your part.

[Guy]

The confusion wasn't on your part.

No problem, just wanted to clarify it anyway.

[Kev]

The confusion was on my part and that cleared it right up. Thank you guys (especially BassCliff) for taking the time to give great help. So can the clutch be adjusted or will it most likely need to be replaced? Do i have to remove the starter clutch gears to check it?

[trippivot]

springs and rollers wear. ever helped any one start a bike that has sat for years?/

poor starter and starter clutch minute after minute cranking and cranking - kill the battery and bring the car over hook it up ARGGGHH poor little starter..

only supposed used for an instant. not minute after minute..

pull the clutch out pull strech the 3 springs reassemble and it may work long enough to sell it to another nonsuspecting schlub.

we'll help him here too, just like you.

it is time for new parts in there they all wear together. big gear with the smooth shelf all 3 rollers and the copper gasket.

you might need a propane torch cause the 3 bolts should have red loctite..and they are tough to remove unless you melt the glue.(loctite)

[Kev]

http://www.bikebandit.com/1983-suzuki-motorcycle-gs1100gld/o/m6004
So which of these items would you recommend replacing? Is this the entire starter clutch assembly or are there more parts that are missing from this schematic? I will take the cover off and take pics as soon as i get a chance. I think the spring I found on the ground is the spring in the picture (item number 6). It was about that size and had j hooks on each side.

[chef1366]

You may need a #4 which is very pricey. You can do better in price.
Take it apart and have a look.
You will need a puller on the rotor.

[Kev]

I apologize. I completely forgot to update yall on this situation. I have been working full time and took the bike to a shop thinking i would get it back nice and quick and i'd be riding again and saving gas/having fun in no time. I was wrong. The shop has had it for almost a month. Getting it back today finally hopefully. Got some nice new parts to put on when i do get it. Exhaust wrap,Old school grips and billet circle bar end mirrors to name a few. Also put some yamaha baby apes i got for 5 bucks at a swap meet on there. I will share new pics when i get a chance. Thanks for everyone's help with this.
-Kev

[blowerbike]

i have been a dealer for rick's for years.
i have never had a complaint with them.
glad you got it fixed.
you say you bought a baby ape?
male or female?
what is its name?
they are so cute when there young

[Kev]

Thanks man. I woulda had it back by now but i was getting ready to finish up work and go get it and i was cleaning one last weld when i got hit in the forehead with a steel ring about 6 inches in diameter and 3 inches wide. The buffer wheel sucked it in and flung it back at me. Nine stitches in the forehead lol. Gotta wait till tomorrow now dang it. oh and the ape is a dude. His name is Grills.