starter spins but nothing grabs, what's up?

does it need to be in neutral? Mind you, I have all the relays removed and it is simple wired. What does the starter hook to that could've broke? Pulled a plug and put finger over hole and hit starter, no air. It may be in gear though as I don't have the chain hooked up or a shifter on to tell. Ugh. Guess I should go spin the sprocket and see.

 

That situation sounds like the Starter Clutch has given-up the ghost.

NOT good news.

You have to go-in after it.
Requires splitting the cases.

Not the kind of news you want after a bitter winter and the swallows coming-back from Capistrano!

 

Do these starters have a bendix?

 

No. here's a diagram..

 

Geez. Which bike, DW?

The starter may "kick" right back out if the bike's in gear though, no matter what bike.

Make sure it's in neutral.

Then pull the starter and have a peek at the gears before you go yumping to conclusions, solution is more likely simple than major.

 

Lol yumping

 

well, that just frickin' figures doesn't it. The sprocket spins free frontwards and back so it must be in neutral. Can I push start it? If I pull the starter what would be the symptoms of a failed unit? stripped end? Do I just pull the two bolts and the starter comes out freely?

Fitz, this my Maxim 400 custom, new motor from a parts bike I picked up for low $$$ cuz the stock motor has a warped head in need of attention.

 

Of course you can bump start it.
You can also try the "RickCoMatic" style flush, which sometimes works.

 

before you dig in to the major project of getting to and rebuilding the starter clutch it is worth making sure your battery is 100%, for certain, in working order. Fluid level, charge, no corrosion on any contacts, starter solenoid/relay. ALL that is WAY easier to check and weak current to the starter can produce the same symptoms. As can worn brushes in the starter motor which comes off and slides out for disassembly with just two bolts.

If the starter isn't spinning with enough gusto it won't engage. Granted all these effects are exacerbated by worn springs and palls in the starter clutch itself but it's one of those things where multiple problems can often work together to create the noticed symptom. If any of the easy things are at fault you can get thousands of more start-ups out of a clutch even on it's "last legs". The way I see it if the starter clutch needs replacing after checking the easy stuff, so be it. Replacing suspect motor brushes puts my mind at ease for another 10k miles and keeping the electricals in tip top shape ought be done anyway. Even if the easy stuff in this scenario were NOT the problem you still haven't wasted your time and who knows, might fix ya right up.

 

battery is out of the question. It is brand new, right off the charger, a gel type with more CCA's than the stocker. Who can describe the "flush"?
I will swap starters tonite or tomorrow and give that a whirl...fingers crossed...I hope that is it.

 

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... arter.html

Here's a good link /\

 

It has been suggested to me that I re-ground the motor to the frame. Right now I have the ground off the engine going to the NEG battery terminal. I will pick another engine bolt and run a 10 AWG ground wire to the frame somewhere and cross my fingers and pray that is the solution!!!

 

sounds like the starter clutch. If the starter is spinning grounding isnt gonna help unfortunately

 

Wanna bet on that? I'll post results in a few hours.

 

I like your attitude, but the starter (sprag style) clutch is a common problem and your symptoms hit the spot.

 

it was the ground. I am uploading vids now to photobucket! Runs great, shifts awesome, sounds sweet! I am pumped. The idle is a tad high in the walk around vid but I lowered it soon after.
Video in a minute!!!

 

Yep, starter no work so good with no ground from engine to battery

 

I'm glad it was something cheap/free, replacing the clutch is a PITA.

 

sweet. like I said, a weak spinning motor won't grab the clutch. Lotsa things can cause that.