Starter motor?

[Loudnorthernbloke]

Hi all, I tried to start the Dommie yesterday, but it sounded like the starter motor wasn’t making contact properly.
I pressed the starter button, it turns over once or twice, then there’s just the sound of the starter motor spinning freely.
When I stop pressing the starter button and the motor stops spinning, I pressed the button again and the same thing happens.

[Lutin]

If the motor is spinning, but not engaging, then I would be having a good look at the clutch on the starter.

Just a quick question, is the bike kept outside at the moment?

[Loudnorthernbloke]

If the motor is spinning, but not engaging, then I would be having a good look at the clutch on the starter.

Just a quick question, is the bike kept outside at the moment?

Aye, its' kept under a bike cover in the yard.
Only noticed this problem as have moved it in to the shed at weekend to avoid the snow.

[Loomesy]

Yup mine does that, I've been told its the starter clutch springs having lost their tension or something, luckily ive got an early dommie so its got a kickstart too. Seems to fire up ok on the button when the engines warm though.

[AlanH]

If I remember correctly, the starter clutch rollers run directly on the crank so this is something you need to look at sooner rather than later. I had an XBR500 years ago as a courier and that got through a couple of starter clutches in its rather intense life.

[Loudnorthernbloke]

If I remember correctly, the starter clutch rollers run directly on the crank so this is something you need to look at sooner rather than later. I had an XBR500 years ago as a courier and that got through a couple of starter clutches in its rather intense life.

Is that an easy job to do? or will simply putting a new starter motor on do the job?

Thanks for the replies
Simon

[Loomesy]

If its the starter motor spinning and not catching, you could have worn teeth on the gear, which is what I thought but i checked and they were fine.

The starter motor clutch is behind the flywheel, so youve got to take the right hand (i think) engine case off, flywheel off (which'll probbaly be a pain in the proverbial), to get to the sort of area where you need to change, there is an online manual at (reference removed), you need to look at section 9.

[Loudnorthernbloke]

If its the starter motor spinning and not catching, you could have worn teeth on the gear, which is what I thought but i checked and they were fine.

The starter motor clutch is behind the flywheel, so youve got to take the right hand (i think) engine case off, flywheel off (which'll probbaly be a pain in the proverbial), to get to the sort of area where you need to change, there is an online manual at (reference removed), you need to look at section 9.

OK, clutch stuff's not to bad, just need the right tools to bodge the job.
Will have a look in there and see whats going on.

Thanks for the manual link.