Starter noisey- poor operation

I have a 1979 Shaftie. The starter often sounds like it has a skiping engagement dog or gear clash.
Usually I hear it clatter a couple of times and then the starter just revs up and freewheels followed by a clank to a stop after releasing the start button. Odly enough, it seems to work more reliably when on the center stand instead of the side stand??
This is a project bike I picked up a few weeks ago, its the first Kaw I've owned since the 1978 Z1r
I bought waaay back in the day.

Thanks for any help.

Hi Roadflyer,

You need a new starter clutch.

Bill

Thanks for the info. Does replacing the large starter gear with the hub on it usually fix it? Sorry, I havn't had it apart yet and have been looking at starter parts on ebay- the large gear is being called a clutch there.

Call Z-1 Enterprises. They'll have the parts. If the hub's not too worn all you'll have to replace are the rollers and springs.

Good Luck

Bill