Starter Clutch Pull Tool????

[Gumbo76]

Ok, So I have to change out my Starter Clutch and I don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to buy a tool to pull it off the shaft. Would anyone happen to have one that I can borrow for a few days? I would be willing to pay shipping to and from. My Bike is a 1979 GS550. Everything points to it being an “E” if that matters.

I will also be posting this in the Parts wanted section for I need to buy a Starter clutch assembly. My sprocket is fine and my Magneto thing is fine, but that sheet metal Sheath around the clutch is Ripped to shreds! I have no idea how it happened.

I am trying to upload a pic via Photobucket, but that site seems to be running super slow. So here is a thumbnail of the Starter Clutch Assembly.

[mike_of_bbg]

This has been covered several times so a search would probably get you what you need. Nonetheless I'll get you started. You have to remove that bolt holding the rotor on (which threads into the crank shaft) obviously. Then remove the bolt from your swingarm, and it will thread into the rotor itself (that bolt goes to the crankshaft) to push it off. Plus it will give you an opportunity to lube up your swingarm bearings

The only trick with the swingarm bolt is that its threads are not deep enough to push against the crankshaft. You have to put something in there. I've heard ball bearings and nuts suggested, but I wouldn't do that. You might end up with one stuck in your crank threads (I actually did this, but I was replacing the crank anyway so no real harm) I'd find an allen bolt of appropriate length to reach the bottom of the threaded hole in the crank and wrap the threads in tape to protect the threads there now. Took about 50 ft-lbs of force I'd say to get that rotor to pop off. You could also take the nut off the swingarm and try to find a bolt at a hardware store with deeper threads, but I think it's M16 and I couldn't find anyone stocking anything larger than M14.

[Gumbo76]

Right on. I did do some research and I saw a few people recommend to just buy the puller. I also read in my manual to use the Swing arm Bolt and place it through a huge Socket and use it a s a slide hammer. I didn't realize that this action would take the entire thing off. I thought removing the bolt and using the slide hammer would only pull the Magneto off and I would still have to remove the Starter Clutch Assembly.

So, that is a huge help! My Haynes Manual is terrible. And the shop manual on Cliff's site, didn't really say anything about taking it all apart. Thanks for your help! Now, if I can find the Starter Clutch from someone here at a reasonable price (I already Posted), I'll be riding in no time!

-Gumbo

[mike_of_bbg]

IIRC the starter clutch is bolted to the magneto. I just put mine back on so I didn't have to remove it; but it didn't seem like special tools were required. Slide hammer thing might work.

[Suzuki_Don]

I made up a home made slide hammer literally. My rotor had been loctited to the crankshaft and took a lot of effort to remove it, but the slide hammer worked in the end. My bike is a 550 so it in exact replica of what you need to do.

A number of people say you should not use a slide hammer as it puts extra stresses on the crankshaft bearings. You will see the factory slide hammer for removing the rotor in the pics I have attached. So if it's good enough for the Factory it's good enough for me.

The pics are pretty much self explanatory, if you have any questions just ask. There is a pic of how the starter clutch is attached to the rotor FYI.