Starter Clutch Problem

Yesterday, while away from home, I went to start my KZ1000. The starter motor ran but would not engage. I push started the bike and got home. After shutting it down, I attempted a restart and it worked perfectly.
I guess my question is, is this a one time fluke or do I need to tear it down and find the problem?
After looking at the parts diagram, it does not appear to be a complicated mechanism. I would think that at least one of the three springs and pins would have attempted to engage.
I sure wish it had a kick starter.
Any help, insight, or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Robert

thats what my 650 started doing. Your starter clutch is starting to come apart, you will need to replace it. It starts looking like this, and it begins shedding metal shavings into your engine oil...

I see that the metal cover has been beat up. Is that all that was wrong with your starter clutch?
Thanks,
Robert

saltydog wrote:

Yesterday, while away from home, I went to start my KZ1000. The starter motor ran but would not engage. I push started the bike and got home. After shutting it down, I attempted a restart and it worked perfectly.
I guess my question is, is this a one time fluke or do I need to tear it down and find the problem?
After looking at the parts diagram, it does not appear to be a complicated mechanism. I would think that at least one of the three springs and pins would have attempted to engage.
I sure wish it had a kick starter.
Any help, insight, or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Robert

when i bought my bike, did the same thing......i rebuilt mine....getting to it is the toughest part...the thing is , you need all 3 springs and pins to engage to get it operational....redline cycle has a great section on what to look for as far as wear .....good time to replace that grommet for wiring while you are in there....good luck.....keith

no if you look closely inside you will see one of the spring loaded plungers has come apart , the clutch would engage sometimes, others it wouldnt. But it really chews itself up and you will have metal in your oil pan

I found the problem!
After the bike failed to start again, I removed the alternator cover. It turned out that the bolt that holds the rotor on had gotten loose. The starter clutch looks undamaged. I'll put it all back together tommorrow and see if it works properly.
Thanks for all the comments and advice.
Robert

you took out the starter clutch and checked it?

Yes. The rotor was spinning free on the shaft.

The alternator rotor is under the alternator cover, he's referring to the starter clutch which is inside the crankcase.

If that was loose you have another problem. There should be a key on the alt rotor to keep it from spinning.

Guys, Saltydog is talking about a KZ 1000. The big bikes (900/1000/1100) have the starter clutch sitting on the left end of the crankshaft behind the alternator rotor.