new guy, starter/starter clutch issues

first i'd better say hi since i'm new here... so... HI. just got the little lady (she's learning how to ride) an 85 xj700. actually it was my first bike (same exact one) i started on 8 yrs ago. anyway... she dumped it over in the yard and it flooded. when i went to start it, it would crank for two or three seconds then make a nasty grinding/rattling noise. if i opened the throttle it would do it after 1-2 seconds. if plugs were out it would spin just fine. sounds like i'm having some starter clutch issues. i've got the bike running like a top again but about about half of the starts are having this grinding issues and it seems to be getting worse quite quickly. any help would be appreciated. this is only the second bike i've worked on in my life (we've also got an 05' 1100vstar) however i am an auto tech and have no problem diving into stuff and learn very quickly.

thanks a lot for the help

~nick

 

Shure sounds/looks like it , hiya too.

 

yeah, i kinda figured so. do you know exactly what oil they reccomend for the xj700? it's supposed to be yamalube 20w40 right?

 

Before you go digging in, change the oil. It's possible that gas has thinned the oil to a point that the starter clutch cannot properly grip the shaft that it spins to start the engine. I am almost convinced that using 0W40 Amsoil was the cause of my starter clutch slipping problem, since the old parts that I took out looked pretty much the same as the new ones I put in. It's a long, hard job to get the engine out and apart, so try an oil change first and give it some time before comitting to a tear down.

 

ya know it's funny that you say that because this morning i ran about half a bottle of seafoam in the crankcase and drained it and the 20w50 amsoil out i had put in. filled it back up with 20w40 yamalube and it hasn't done it since. weird thing is that when i got the bike it had the yamalube in it. i ran it for a couple days like that and it never had a problem. seems like within a couple starts with 20w50 it started having the problem. i still have the pins and springs for the starter clutch comning just in case but if i have to do it i'm not gonna crack the case right off the bat. i saw that link for the cheater way through the other cover so i'll definitley give that shot first if i have too. hey... while i got ya here? where is the nuetral switch at on the 700's? i'm trying to track down why the neutral light doesn't work. i've got key on power at the bulb but no ground there. i was looking around but can't figure out where the wires go into the trans so i can chase down the connector. thanks again for all your input. i really appreciate it.

 

no signiture MacMcMacmac ...you too cruzmystar , i hope some 700 owners pop in for u...

 

sorry bout that. this forum is layed out a lot different than the 1100vstar riders forum i'm a member of too. i think i got it fixed.
thanks

 

The switch should be on the bottom of the engine, here's a pic from the Yamaha web site parts listing.

 

ok, i guess i just assumed the one on the bottom had to do with the oil light but i guess not. i've got the xj cd's coming but until then i'm kinda just making educated guesses. thanks a lot. can't wait for those cd's man. i hope they've got wiring diagrams in there. thanks again. i'll go mess around with it more now and see if i can figure something out. thanks