Starter clutch...couple Q's

I pulled my flywheel and starter clutch off last night.

First off, are the rollers, plungers and springs supposed to just fall out when you pull off the clutch? Because mine did. One of the springs was a little messed up, the others looked alright.

Also, there was a copper spacer between the clutch and starter gear that was pretty deformed and a bit burned up from the looks of it. I'm guessing that also had something to do with it slipping?

Anyway, I'm gonna go ahead and order new springs and a new spacer off bikebandit.com so I can get this thing back together.

If you're referring to #18 in the attached pic,that's a thrust washer,btw.

Um...what's that a picture of? The clutch in the transmission?

That's not what my starter clutch or flywheel looks like at all.

Well crap. bike bandit says that spacer I need is discontinued...figures.

Z1 doesn't show anything related to the starter clutch at all.

Does anyone know if that spacer is copper, or is it bronze? I think I can probably get a copper or bronze washer and make it work without too much difficulty.

Or is it even that important of a part?

ghunt81 wrote:

Um...what's that a picture of? The clutch in the transmission?

That's not what my starter clutch or flywheel looks like at all.

Whoops.
I was thinking "Clutch"...my bad.Must have been too early,lol.

And the spacer that you're referring to,is listed as a "Spacer" only.

i just did my starter clutch tonite on my 1000ltd...yeah, they will fall out, mainly the rollers and pins...springs kind of hang in there...
some really good info on starter cluthes at redline cycles website.....tells you what to look for as far as what might need replaced...i bought a used unit off ebay and lucked out as it was in good cond.....the clutch i took out was showing signs of death as someone didnt locktite the bolt holding the rotor on and the whole deal came off in my hand.....luckily i caught this little prob before something real bad happened....starter works sweet now.....no more kicking........sweeeet...keith

post up a pic of the spacer and if i have one i will send it to you for the bubble...i have extra parts.....keith

Keith I'll try to get a picture of it tonight, my internet was out all weekend or I would've responded sooner.

It looks just like a bronze thrust washer, except it seems to have some "dimples" in it almost like it was ball milled. The OD is almost exactly 1 11/16".

That little copper/bronze/whatever washer is pretty important. I keeps the starter sprocket away from the rotor. you wouldn't want them to suddenly catch together at speed...

Please see THIS THREAD , it's my old story about my two dead starter clutches on my 750 twins... I hope it can help you a bit...

I know it's important, or else it wouldn't be there

I meant how important is it to the functionality of the starter clutch? It looks like the only friction surface between the starter sprocket and the starter clutch. I hope it's OK to reuse the old one (albeit cleaned up) for now.

This is what that thrust washer/spacer/whatever it is looks like. The "flanges" on the washer are from it being clamped in between the starter clutch and sprocket, I guess.

ghunt81 wrote:

....I meant how important is it to the functionality of the starter clutch? ...

It is not at all important to the functionality of the starter clutch. When the starter clutch is activated by the starter, the starter clutch (and rotor), washer, and starter sprocket all spin at the same rate, in the same direction.

However, it is critical to the functionality of the running engine, once the starter clutch is done with its work. The washer keeps the starter sprocket away from the rotor, allowing them to spin separately once the engine is running. Because at this point, the starter clutch is in motion with the rotor, and the starter sprocket stands still.



EDIT/UPDATE: I see the pic you just posted, and yeah, I'd use that washer. It looks funny, but should still be fine.