Starter sticking on after bike is started... HELP!!!!

So I read up that it could be the solenoid sticking... (previous forum) Where is the solenoid that I give a whack to? (1982 XJ750 Maxim) And also is there anything special I need to know about removing the starter just incase? What would cause the starter to not dis-engage so "all of a sudden" it had just did it today... and that's it... I don't have money to rebuild the thing... what can I do? Not to mention this is my only mode of transportation at the moment. I need this fixed tonight!

 

well... i've done lots of reading... but the only info I've found is if the starter don't work... nothing on how to get the gears to dis-engage... I need to disengage them... how do i do it?

 

Ok, so i tore off the starter... grounded it out... and all.... hit the start and it whirred away... and stopped when I released the button... I don't understand how it's staying engaged.... Is the wheel on the starter itself supposed to jump out and engage with the wheel in the motor? or what? what am i missing about how it works?

 

Small, round "can" about 2.5 inches in diameter, usually attached to the battery box. The positive cable of the battery should be routed to it and the other cable coming off of it goes to the starter. Check it with power off to see if the contacts have welded together.

 

if they did wouldn't it show up with the starter off and it actually stopping the spinning motion on the starter itself prove that the solenoid is ok?

 

The starter turns a starter clutch with a one-way sprag gear. It does not have a bendix assembly. Direct drive only.

???Eh??? I didn't quite understand the question amigo, please rephrase.

A rebuild of the solenoid is possible if you have access to a soldering iron and some basic tools.

 

I had the exact same problem and it turned out to be the start button sticking "on". I sprayed some WD40 in there and it's been fine ever since.

 

Ok, my mistake... what's happened is this:
I took the starter motor off the bike... hooked it back up to the bike, grounded it out, and hit the start button. It spun fine. And it stopped spinning at the exact moment I released the Start button. I jumped the solenoid and that was fine as well. While i had the starter motor off I did look at the little gear in the motor that the starter meshes with and i made a line on it, then I put the bike in gear and rocked it till I got the motor to crank once, and the line was not there any longer, it had moved. I dread to say it but I think that my starter clutch is stuck ON.

 

That may well be, the springs are a known weak spot. Heck, we've seen fractured clutch assemblies! Bummer dude. Gotta split the case to repair it unless you feel lucky and can pull it off through the alternator shaft hole. Some folks have done this successfully with great care and skill, do a search on this topic.

 

heck.... how much will it cost for me to split the cases and do it right? and how long will it take? and how hard will it be?

 

Should I be able to spin the starter motor gear in both directions by hand?

 

Q#1. I've gotten away with a good seal kit (should be no more than $50 for all of the seals and o-rings from Chacal) and a tube of Permatex MotoSeal #1 (http://www.permatex.com/products/Automo ... r_Grey.htm). A complete new clutch is a few hundred dollars but if only the springs are shot, they are a few bucks (again, see Chacal). I would also recommend you replace the starter chain guide ($30+) as they do fail with age. I'd also suggest you pull a lower bearing main and have a look at the condition of your bearings.
All of this will take about a week of time for a person starting out (your time and skills may vary). This is prefaced by the beginner spending a few nights reading over the process in their maintenance manual. Become familiar with the lay of the land and what the parts look like and things will move smoothly throughout the process (I hope).
The hardest part of this getting the engine out of the frame. Move carefully and with purpose. Have a clean area to perform the work. Organize as you lay out the parts, cleaning as you go. Mark and label everything so you know where it goes, draw pictures or shoot photos.
Above all, take your time and be patient! Nothing sucks more than to blow through a job and find you missed something or misfit some part that now costs you more time and money!
Q#2. Yes, you should be able to spin the motor either way. By hand is possible if you have strong enough a grip. If you can turn it easily, it may be time for new grease.

 

well... here's the update... it's fixed... I think there's a little gremlin in my garage that decided to fix it while I ran to Burger King last night. I have a new problem now though... see new post title "bike idling funky and weird popping"