Help! Starter Clutch???

Hey Guys,

Another newbie with another question. haha First off my bike is a 1981 KZ750 I have just replaced my starter clutch because when I went to start it, it cranked, and caught a little bit and then spun. It did this multiple times so, I replaced the starter clutch. I went to start it and it cranked and caught great and started right up. After a couple more starts it started doing the same thing again. Cranking, catching then spinning. Could this be the starter clutch again??? Any help or advice is appreciated greatly!

-Josh

What exactly did you replace? The starter clutch is made up of a bunch of small parts. Not to be a wise*ss but did you have any parts left over?

Are you using oil w/extra slippery additives? Although the starter clutch on these things are a known problem, sometimes, using straight 10-30/40 will calm that down, a bit. Extra addatives can cause your clutch to slip, also.

Not too sure on the 750,but maybe the rotor is spinning on the crank??
If that's possible,maybe the rotor came loose,or it sheared off the woodruff key?

Sandy wrote:

Not too sure on the 750,but maybe the rotor is spinning on the crank??
If that's possible,maybe the rotor came loose,or it sheared off the woodruff key?

Assuming it's a KZ750 four, the starter clutch is on a secondary shaft inside the motor. It's not near as easy to repair/replace as it is on the twins and the 900/1000/1100 motors.

That's what I figured,but thought I'd mention it anyways.
That would suck.
(note to self...keep my bike)

What exactly did you replace? The starter clutch is made up of a bunch of small parts. Not to be a wise*ss but did you have any parts left over?

Hey guys, yes I Origianlly replaced the starter clutch and didn't have any parts left over. It was a pain. I took it all apart again and realized the allen screws in the starter clutch had came loose. I tightened them back down and am going to reassemble the bike today! Ill let you all know the outcome. Thanks for the help!

I'm watching this topic because I'm having problems with my starter clutch too.

Gonna pull it off tonight and see how it looks.

Its really important when you rebuild or repair a starter clutch that you REPLACE the springs. The reason the starter clutch fails--or disengages is that the springs become too soft and allow the pins to retract prematurely.

I just finished up my starter clutch rebuild this weekend.
GrantL is right. The springs on mine were wasted. It only took about 20 minutes to rebuild the whole thing and get it back into the cases. Make sure you use Loctite to keep those fasteners in place. It took much longer to put the engine back in what will the cleaning/re-painting and gasket scraping. It now starts up like a champ.
Good luck.

I ordered new springs for mine, still waiting one them. Two looked pretty good, the end of one was all mangled up. Will replace all three and see how it does.