It's starting to P*SS me off... (starter clutch fix)

[Omega Man]

Old girlfriend is growing more difficult to start in the cooler morning hours. I need to figure this out because I'm due to start a new job March 1st.

When I push the start button I get Wrrrzzzzzzzclunk, push button Wrzzzzzzzzzzzclunka chunk. Some times it catches for less than a second and the wrzzz clunk again, seems like it slips out. Any ideas guys? New starter, messed up gears?

Thanks,

~O~

edit- this is not a problem the rest of the day after running.

 

[Steve83]

It sounds like the starter mnotor is turning, but the one-way clutch isn't engaging. Maybe the cold, thicker oil is preventing the rollers from properly contacting the sprocket shaft. What oil are you using? Maybe some treatment? Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[AApple]

I wuz gunna say the same thing. Might try an oil change to see if it helps. Lot's of guys here have had the same symptoms, and it turned out to be either old derty oil, or oil that is too thick of a viscosity for the temperatures. Once the erl warms up, it starts just fine, right?
It could also be a sign that the starter clutch(roller clutch) is trying to take a dump, but so far, from everything I've read on this issue, changing the erl has "fixed" the complaint. Fingers crossed.

 

[Omega Man]

Shoot, I just changed the oil, 10-w40. I'll try a lighter weigt. Thanks guys.

 

[AApple]

I use 10-40 in mine, and so far, no issues...but I don't ride when it gets cold-cold, but, it is parked in a garage. How cold is it when yours does that?

 

[Omega Man]

Was down to 38 I think and its still 42/43 now. I wrapped her up like the night before(no problem starting yest) but the problem is back. It almost fired a min ago... I'll change the lil again today and see if that helos.

 

[dan filipi]

Already having fresh oil, a change won't help.

I would add a 1/2 quart of transmission fluid, drain oil down first if needed to keep from over filling it.
The thinned oil will flow better and atf will help clean the innards.

Ride it like this for a few hundred miles, but go easy on it keeping the revs down but high enough so you don't lug the engine.
The thinned oil provides less of a cushion on the bearings, that's why you want to be easy on it.

Oil normally doesn't get back to the starter clutch unless your riding it so a flush at idle won't do any good.

You should see improvement almost right away but run it for a few hundred miles with this mix then change to straight 10-30.
If the starter is engaging properly every time then change it to 10-40 after a thousand miles or so.

 

[Omega Man]

Thanks Dan, I'll try that first.

 

[brianinpa]

Mine was doing the same thing with Delo 15W/40 in it as it started getting colder, so I added some Seafoam and rode a tank of gas through it. Changed the oil and put 10W/40 back in and now I have no problems.

 

[Omega Man]

Well I put 8oz ATF in first and noticed a real change in the sound of the bike while running so after a couple hundred miles I'll change the oil again see what happens. I might not wait that long though as the rising morning temps here in the high desert may make the situation moot.

Thanks again guys! I'll update you tomorrow morning.

~O~

 

[dan filipi]

I don't know how much just 8oz will help but let us know.

 

[MarkB]

Mine will do that if I stop for gas on the way to work. Never any other time. So, I gas it at night when I think of it.

 

[Bobo]

Mine was doing the same thing with Delo 15W/40 in it as it started getting colder, so I added some Seafoam and rode a tank of gas through it. Changed the oil and put 10W/40 back in and now I have no problems.

+1

Don't just thin it, clean it! Then change the oil after about 100 miles........ :beg:

 

[Omega Man]

Will do Bobo!

 

[slabghost]

And watch the label on the oil. If there is any mention of extended mileage or enhanced lubricity it probably has additives that don't play nice with wet clutches. They slip really bad. I run up to 1/5 capacity of atf every other oil change with no issues at all in everything I own. Bikes, cages, even my yard tractor which specifically states non detergent oil.

 

[ekvh]

I had the same issue. I now try and put in a half quart atf or MMO about 50-100 miles before an oil change. Works fine since. The added benefit may, ...may.. be that it is also cleaning the stator windings from build up which probably....probably.... leads to less heat in the windings and a longer stator life.

 

[RBG]

There is a "real" fix for this issue..install a cleaning port for the starter clutch..drilling a hole in the case in the right spot, tap it and put a fitting to accept a straw.. squirt w/o the case,pics finished job, when you squirt, where you drill.

Once you drill the hole you rotate the clutch to each hole and squirt away washing the crap out of the rollers/spring

 

[joedrum]

cool

 

[slabghost]

Nice fix if you have the motor out for major attention. I wouldn't want to fill my motor with drill shavings.

 

[Omega Man]

Cutting the fresh oil with 8oz of ATF worked! It's 11 degrees colder than yesterday when I couldn't get her to start at all and it took only two tries. On the second attempt she fired normally, no slow boggy start or slipping like yesterday when it was much warmer. I guess I need to admit the the heavier oil is no good for her even near the end of winter, I'll just have to put up with the noise on this aging beauty.

Thanks again to all the great advice guys. :rocks:

~O~