does this sound like broken starter clutch

hi every one
i have managed to find out so much about y bike since i been reading around here and now
i need some more help

ok the details is a 1983 xj750p with a slight problem
you press the starter and it sounds like the starter motor is running a marathon
but occasionally it makes contact you here the motor turn the engine then slip again and get same whine noise from the starter motor again

i am no mechanic but am mechanically minded. i think!!. also have a haynes manual as some reference
small amount input be handy if this is a bench fix or something can be done on the bike
many thanks in advance

 

bump
ok so looks like i am desperate

 

If it really is the starter clutch, it requires major surgery.

Let's start with what OIL is in the bike? If you've used an automotive oil or a synthetic, it could simply be your choice of oil.

 

hm cool will have to look in tio that as i have just taken over the bike
thanks what oil is recomended

 

Motorcycle-specific conventional oil; Castrol 4T is widely available. Although Yamaha recommends 20W40, since it's no longer widely available, 20W50 will work fine in warmer weather; 10W30 if it's chilly out.

Stay away from synthetics; and avoid ALL automotive-spec oils.

 

ok had look at theoil in the glass on the side and lookslike it needs a change for a start
i managed to get thiis bike for a bottle bourbon
so looks like i need give it an oil change as the oil looks a bit like mucky not clear and its not black its a mucky brownish

 

Sounds more like the starter is kicing out..... have you checked the brushes?

dave

 

starter motor just wines continious ok so may be have to look at that

 

I don't really understand what you're saying. What do you mean by running a marathon. Is the starter whirring round at a gazillion revs and only occasionally spinning the crank, does the engine turnover slowly like an asthmatic organ grinder's monkey or does it sound like a marble bouncing round in an empty baked bean can ?

 

whirring round at a gazillion revs and only occasionally spinning the crank then slipping back to a gazillion revs before engine gets any chance starting

 

Let's start with an oil change.

In order of simple and gotta do it anyway, that's #1.

I agree that the starter might be "giving up" too easily; but that's #2.

Pulling the engine and splitting the cases to replace the starter clutch is at the bottom of the list.

 

ok i know its been a while
but hey the oil is done the bike now starts pretty well
but while riding i have found a few problems and think since you lot seem to know what you are talking about more then the garages here i will ask my questions here
ok while going a long and put bike gently into 2nd gear i now goes in then it is as if it has slipped out but not completely so not quite engaging then slips completely
so got straight in to third it is fine bit does start to slip

i think i have upset the previous owner of the bike as he thoiught it was a major fix for this bike

 

That's the risk you run, good job on getting a deal.

 

Your clutch is slipping.

Read this thread; same issue, same answer; http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=37156.html