Question about starter clutch and loose crank nut

[bjlffire]

Well here goes:

I tought the starter clutch bolts may have sheared, but when i got ready to remove the nut on the crank it was loose, If I finger tighten the nut it seems to tighten up enough to use.

Is that what went wrong, if so what cuased the nut to come loose?

[chef1366]

What year and model?

[gert du prez]

search the link 'how to lock rotor'

there are some answers in that thread that will help you further.

best regards,

gert

[bjlffire]

Should I go ahaed and replace the clutch bolts, springs and such before I
put it back together?

1982 GS1100G
72xxx miles

[Dink]

Inspect the starter rollers,if there are any signs of wear replace them.

Dink

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Starter clutch's are kinda funny. Sometimes you get lucky and it just needs new springs in the push pins. Other times you need new rollers and springs and push pins. Many times the rollers also wear out the surface of the primary gear too.
The 3 clutch screws must be the correct strength and blue loctited. About 14 ft/lb for your model? The rotor bolt must be cleaned thoroughly and red loctited. My model calls for 72 ft/lb.
My starter clutch started making a loud "CLACK" sound during most start ups. The wear I found was 1 push pin had about 1/8" jagged piece missing (don't see how that happened/missing piece was at the bottom of the pin) and 1 spring was broken and the other 2 were weak. The gear surface was also worn where the rollers contact. My fix was a new clutch and gear.