Honda Twins banner

Starter Motor Slapping Noise

5.1K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  ancientdad  
#1 ·
Just wrapped up my rebuild and kicked the bike over to circulate the oil. Then I switched to the starter motor to get the bike started. It started up first try. After that, whenever I hit the starter button and gave the throttle a small twist, I hear a smacking sound. I've attached a video. What do you think could be causing the smacking sound?

 
#4 ·
It does sound like starter clutch, and the likely reason it's worse when you turn the throttle is because you're adding the load on the starter of bringing in more volume of air/fuel mix into the combustion chambers when you do. It's a simple enough job, just the alternator and front sprocket covers need to come off (you'll lose some oil when you take the alternator cover off) and then you'll need a rotor puller (and if you have a 350 rear axle available, pretty sure it's the same size and thread). There are 3 big JIS Phillips-type screws on the back of the rotor to remove the outer clutch starter housing to replace the pieces, as long as the housing isn't cracked. When you re-assemble everything, make sure you either use Loctite on the threads of those 3 screws holding it together or "stake" them into the slots on the outside edge of the screw holes to help keep them from backing out in the future
 
#6 ·
Makes even more sense to hear that - the entire assembly was shifting and not gripping well at all under max load. Hopefully the machine shop will get the screw out - be sure they understand to be careful with the rotor, if it gets hit hard during their efforts (or dropped) it could have an effect on its magnetism strength