Starter clutch failing on my KZ750 H LTD

Hello everyone

My names James. I purchased my first motorcycle last summer ( KZ750 H LTD.) Turned it into a cafe racer and i love it! recently its been giving me issues on starting. I believe its the starter clutch or started motor. Sounds like its slipping when i try to start the Motorcycle. It does start and run but takes a really long time to get it going. Can someone help me fix this issue. What exact part can I buy or how can i fix it so it turns smoothly.

Thanks !

Please search "starter clutch" ......... a awful lot of us are having the same problem.

That seems to be a inherent flaw in the design.
Steve

Yeah, it's strange, many problems on 650/750 models, but the 550 uses the same design, and I have never seen a problem on a 550.

Maybe it's because the 650 was originally a kickstart model, so they made the starter clutch undersized.to save weight?

The 550 has less drag on the starter. Doing away with the kick starter was a mistake. IMO
Steve

I was just saying the basic design works, but on the 650/750 it's undersized... just needed to be bigger or stronger.

Thanks for the replies everyone! Does anybody have a DIY on how to get this repaired? I'm searching on ebay and they sell the repair kits (springs, caps, etc), is this all thats needed to fix it?

Thanks again!

I'm just wondering if stronger springs would be better, maybe of a Z1/KZ.
Steve

Good question, I've wondered that too, about the springs.

I thought there was a thread years ago about this, but I haven't seen it in a long time. Maybe a google search.

Jamesch007 wrote: Thanks for the replies everyone! Does anybody have a DIY on how to get this repaired? I'm searching on ebay and they sell the repair kits (springs, caps, etc), is this all thats needed to fix it?

Thanks again!

Probably not. You need to examine the starter gear to see if it has ridges worn into it. If it does you may still have a problem after replacing the springs & rollers unless you also replace that starter gear. The image below shows a comparison of new vs. used. Ed

The springs NOS I got from partzilla look like they came out of a ball point pen ...... I couldn't believe how wimpy they are but since the new clutch assembly came put together with them I'm guessing I'll leave them alone and hopefully will get another 35 years out of em. I'll be lucky to make it another 5. :laugh:

Loudhvx I remember someone talking I think on the K650 website? on replacing the springs with something heavier and did but I can't seen to find it again.

James please read up on the threads ...... and deside how far you wanta go ..... new sprocket, clutch assembly or... only springs, rollers and pins. Most of us are going all out so hopefully we only have to do it once.

swest wrote: I'm just wondering if stronger springs would be better, maybe of a Z1/KZ.
Steve

Good question. If they're too strong they may not let the rollers retract, so I guess there's some fine line between too weak and too strong. Ed