Hi folks,
Long-time lurker, first time poster.
Here’s where im at. I have a 1972 CL350 K5. Purchased it with about 10k miles on it. After about 12 months of riding I started hearing a whirring/ratcheting noise coming from the kickstarter. The noise got worse if you moved the kickstarter while the bike was running, but seemed to get slightly better when the kickstarter was ‘home’. Being an optimist, I went with the mechanically sound principal of just hoping it would go away…it didn’t.
The kickstarter now ‘kicks back’ when starting and either returns ‘home’ really hard or doesn’t come back up fully. I am tempted to do a full engine rebuild, but don’t have a lot of space (live in an apartment). Im also keen not to mess with a good thing. I had the top end rebuilt recently by a shop that I trust, and they said the internals were immaculate. Knowing my mechanical skills, its highly likely I take a predominantly well running engine and ruin it.
Here’s my question. From what ive read from other posts with similar symptoms, it sounds like the kickstarter ratchet is failing and is not dis-engaging fully. IF I was to attempt to repair the problem myself, can I take the motor out, flip it upside down, remove the bottom half of the case and access everything I need from there? Ive read the SL350 engine rebuild thread (by Jphoenix) a few times, but think I might be getting in over my head.
I am having other transmission issues but don’t think they’re related as the engine WAS running well. Other issues are stuck clutch (suspect adjustment issues) and starter motor not engaging engine (suspect starter clutch needs new rollers/springs).
Long-time lurker, first time poster.
Here’s where im at. I have a 1972 CL350 K5. Purchased it with about 10k miles on it. After about 12 months of riding I started hearing a whirring/ratcheting noise coming from the kickstarter. The noise got worse if you moved the kickstarter while the bike was running, but seemed to get slightly better when the kickstarter was ‘home’. Being an optimist, I went with the mechanically sound principal of just hoping it would go away…it didn’t.
The kickstarter now ‘kicks back’ when starting and either returns ‘home’ really hard or doesn’t come back up fully. I am tempted to do a full engine rebuild, but don’t have a lot of space (live in an apartment). Im also keen not to mess with a good thing. I had the top end rebuilt recently by a shop that I trust, and they said the internals were immaculate. Knowing my mechanical skills, its highly likely I take a predominantly well running engine and ruin it.
Here’s my question. From what ive read from other posts with similar symptoms, it sounds like the kickstarter ratchet is failing and is not dis-engaging fully. IF I was to attempt to repair the problem myself, can I take the motor out, flip it upside down, remove the bottom half of the case and access everything I need from there? Ive read the SL350 engine rebuild thread (by Jphoenix) a few times, but think I might be getting in over my head.
I am having other transmission issues but don’t think they’re related as the engine WAS running well. Other issues are stuck clutch (suspect adjustment issues) and starter motor not engaging engine (suspect starter clutch needs new rollers/springs).