kz1000 starter clutch

Do you need a wheel puller to get the starter clutch out of a 79 kz1000? If so what type? Sometimes the starter gear grinds when trying to start the bike, i'm asuming its the starter clutch, but maybe not? There is a signifcant amount of play on the end of teh starter (when grabbing the small gear attached to the starter motor) Also when the bike is not grinding trying to start is barely turning over like its got a dead battery, but my meter say's other wise. Any ideas?

Your battery may test good on volts but may lack cranking amps. This may have a lot to do with why your starter clutch is slipping. If the battery is barely cranking over the engine, the positive pressure required to clamp the shaft between the rollers will be weak causing starter clutch slipping. End play on the shaft of the starter motor is normal.
The manual calls for a puller to remove the alternator (starter clutch attached to back) but really all you need is a 14 mm bolt and a 1/2 inch diameter ball bearing. Put the ball bearing into the 14 mm threaded hole (end of crank) insert the 14 mm bolt, tighten the bolt until under tension, then tap the end of the bolt with a hammer or mallet. They come off hard so you may need to put some heat (propane torch) to the alternator.
Hope this helps,
Grant.

The 14mm bolt is the big one on the triple tree for the 900/1000.

Have you checked at the condition of the starter motor brushes? Here's a website for rebuild kits on the starter motors:http://www.cyclewareables.com/pages/street_startermotor_repair_kits/startmtrkit.htm