Starter clutch or complete starter?

After checking through a few carb threads I attempted and sucessfully completed a removal and cleaning of my 83's carbs. While trying to get the bike to fire up the starter started making a strange sound like it wasn't engaging. It would whir away and then occasionally make a slight grinding noise. If I blip the starter button it would eventually catch and then start up.

So now after searching for starter issue threads I'm not seeing the symptoms that mine seems to be having. Is it the starter clutch? Complete starter?

Thanks,

Scott

 

Sounds like your starter clutch has given up the ghost. Roller clutches are a pain in the you know what. You might be able to get away with new rollers and springs in the clutch assembly. Your starter motor sounds like its still doing its job. Bike bandit has the springs and rollers for about 20 dollars U.S. 1983 Honda VF750F V45 INTERCEPTOR Parts, 1983 Honda VF750F V45 INTERCEPTOR OEM Parts - BikeBandit.com

 

Thanks Davis. Just ordered up the parts.

Scott

 

Sounds like starter clutch for sure.... It sounds like the starter motor is spinning, but the engine just isn't turning over, right?

It could also be oil weight issues as well. I have a similar problem at temps under 50F on the VTR because I keep 20w50 in for warmer riding weather. The starter clutch refuses to engage the engine with that oil weight in when it's cold out. 50F+ temp? Fires up like a champ.

 

Woulda been smarter to have inspected the piece b4 ordering parts for it.....

 

I was just about to say that, but at least the parts don't cost much...

 

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

 

I have a spare you can have for the cost of shipping if needed.

 

Thanks for the offer Toecutter, I'll keep that in mind if this doesn't work out. I do realize that I'm jumping the gun on the parts but as mentioned it'd be better to have the parts on hand and they are fairly inexpensive.

It sounds exactly like that too. The starter spins but doesn't engage. I did an oil and filter change on it too as well as the carb cleaning so I don't think it's the oil. It was actually turning over quite well the first few attempts at starting after the carb re-install and then it just started spinning.

 

You know, if I was in your shoes.... I'd go ahead and swap that starter clutch and then check the wear and tolerances of the one that's giving you trouble. See if your problem doesn't clear up as the weather gets warmer.

 

That's kind of common. Mine does the same about twice a year. The springs get weak, the caps wear some as do the rollers. Varnish from the oil can make them stick at times. I just put it in gear and rock the bike to jolt the starter clutch and it works on the next try. I bought parts for it about 5 years ago. They are still in my cabinet. That tells you how much of a problem it is for me.

 

Just had this exact problem after an oil/filter change on my 97 750F - also changed headlights to LED (to combat charging issue that new reg/rect/wiring/stator didn't fix of voltage drop when I turn lights on... was running Nightbreaker lamps that pull 2.8Amp each - so figured that could be the issue - it was)
Anyway, bikes never had an issue starting until this last service last week, worked for a day or two then today starter spins without engaging - 3 rides, does it every time.

Oil weight 10W/40
Temp out here between 9 and 13 degrees C

 

it's easy enough to pull off the clutch cover and check/clean the rollers and springs in the starter clutch, and if you lean the bike toward the right, no need to drain oil.