81 KZ-1100 trouble starting

Hi all,

Glad to find this site.

I picked up a 81 kz-1100 and it has the stangest problem hit the starter and sometimes the engine turns sometimes the starter whines.

I took off the timing cover and looking at the rotor, I can see that the engine hangs while the starter is turning.

Putting it in gear and bumping the engine a little sometimes helps getting it going.

Any help would be greatly appriciated.

Also, where is a good place to get parts from? (I.E. not an arm & leg )

Sounds like the starter gear isn't meshing with the clutch gear and free spinning. I don't know enough about the starters but I assume it isn't kicking out into place with the touch of the starter switch...

As far as parts, contact Jeff Saunders at z1enterprises.com. He is my #1 choice for parts for these bikes. If he can't get it, you might try bikebandit.com. They can get lots of hard to find stuff.

Welcome to the forum. It's the absolute best!

Ok, I read a similar post and found that the starter doesn't pop out. It uses a clutch driven by friction. As in the other post, sounds like you need to rebuild the starter clutch...

Look for a post about similar problems that is active now on the same forum... I think it was a 750 ltd or a 550 that was having the same symptoms...

Post edited by: fergyfer, at: 2006/02/08 12:18

I was just going to post something about the popping

I did a search as well and found that the 550-750 where basicaly the same engine. The big 4's 900-1100CC bikes are a different beast.

Just want to make sure I'm buying the right parts.

Thanks for all your help.

If I am not mistaken, your starter gear is located behind your alternator. It uses a ball and ramp "clutch" system. It is not an automotive type with a solenoid that pushes agear forward to mesh. The smaller KZ have the starter clutch deep inside motor. Sounds like you need to replace the balls and spring in the starter clutch.

Should I be able to see any physical damage or would the balls and spring just be worn and not visible? (smaller than needs to be )

I don't believe that the wear is readily apparent. Before you rip into it why don't you bump start it till you have some miles on it to see if it just needs to be run.

KZCSI

It has about 30K on it and I put 3. It's been that way since I bought it.

I had taken the starter clutch apart once and did find one of the caps had broken.

I've just taken the cover off, and turning it by hand I don't feel any weak points. Not sure I should.

Any tips?

Three miles or three K miles?

3k

I can see that the engine hangs while the starter is turning.

Well it can only be a few things...

clutch rollers worn or flat spots on them
clutch hub worn
spring/caps/rollers sticking
weak/broken roller springs
assembly spinning on crank taper

-Duck

Hey Duck,

Any way to test all the items you list below?

The claimer manual states to remove the starter and make sure the starter clutch turns one way and not the other. I removed the stator cover and turned the clutch by and all the way around. Works properly.

I'm starting to lean twords the starter itself.

Any tips?