kerosene for starter clutch

Starter clutch does on engage on cold start up. Once hot, can start every time. The bike sat outside for twelve years in all types of weather. Done alot of work to it and ride it often. Been using Rotella Diesel oil to clean it. Starting has improved. Been doing research, and believe that Kerosene in the crank case might clean the Starter Clutch. I do know not to run it for alot of time. I believe that each time the bike has time to cool of, The crud forms around the clutch parts causing the bike not to start electronically. If anyone thinks this i crazy, let me know.

thank, John

Kerosene is a light oil with low lubricating properties, I'd be reluctant to add to the crankcase oil as it might cause seizing or galling of rotating parts.

I'd rather remove the stator cover,rotor, and inspect/replace the flattened rollers and the collapsed springs in the starting clutch.

John Simons wrote:

believe that Kerosene in the crank case might clean the Starter Clutch.

On mine, the starter clutch is outside the crankcase behind the alternator coil.

I dont recomend it but if you do make sure you mix it with your oil not in place of it the general rule i was tought was a 20% kerosine and 80 oil run the engine for 10 min at idle it will clean a lot of crap out of the engine the reason i dont do it any more is that it tends to free up a bunch of crap that can get stopped in the oil pump screen which requires removal of the pan to clean which will end up being more work than removing the side cover and cleaning it directly

Had a shop instructor years ago who told me to try #2 diesel and let the motor idle for about 30 seconds. Said I’d be amazed at the crap that came out of the engine. Tried it a couple times and although it worked I never felt good about dumping clean oil in afterward just to contaminate it with the leftover diesel.

I am a firm beleiver in "Marvels Mystery Oil"
20% to 25% in clean oil. for 2 or 3 miles.
I run it my gasoline also, 2oz. to 5 Gals. gas.

like mfolks said it is the starter clutch it self it will have flat spots on the rollers and on the ring gear assembly unless some of this magic fluid can add metal to them , i'd say that you have to change them out as an assembly.

franknsr wrote: "Had a shop instructor years ago who told me to try #2 diesel and let the motor idle for about 30 seconds."

When I was a kid my friend Dave (he was 16 I was 15) had a '53 Chevy (straight 6). An "older" guy (probably 19) at a gas station told Dave if he wanted to clear the gunk out of the engine he should replace the oil with kerosene and run it a little while then replace the oil. Dave replaced the oil with kerosene and after using the car for 2 days went back and asked the guy how long he should wait before replacing the oil. The guy turned grey and said by a little while he meant maybe a minute or so. Funny thing is it did not hurt that engine at all. I guess the tolerances were measured in feet instead of thousandths of an inch so it didn't matter. :laugh: