'81 850GLX - A Whirring Starter Motor

[BadMonk]

Depressing the start button causes the starter motor to make a whirring sound but not engage the motor. The solenoid/relay emits a single click when depressing the button, but no constant chatter. Bypassing the solenoid/relay produces the same result, a whirring sound from the starter.

The connections are clean and tight. Battery is new, fully charged and on a Battery Tender. Lights are not installed yet but the instrument cluster lights up and the horn works.

Solenoid is good and probably should now focus on the starting motor, right?

I'll remove the starter motor cover and lightly smack the motor to see if it's stuck. Otherwise, my next steps are to remove the stator cover and check if the motor engages into the idler gear. Is the idler gear in the right position? Not sure how to check if the starter clutch is working. Am I missing something? On the right track? Help is appreciated.

The bike sat untouched in a shed for 35 years. I have it almost back together after a complete tear down and thought I was about done...not so fast. There's been a lot of two steps forward, one back, etc. etc.

[Brendan W]

Sounds like the right track. Whirring probably means the motor is turning.
The clutch may not be engaging. After 35 years of inactivity there would be parts of me that might not function as intended.
Judicious tapping might be the more prudent course initially. No sense in tearing something down that just needs a bit of encouragement to free off.
The big ring gear at the back of the clutch should be free in one direction.
Hard to see how the idler could be out of position or missing more likely, then there is always a first time.

[BadMonk]

Thanks, Brendan. I agree. While I don't want to take things apart (again), I suspect the clutch may not be engaging. Is there a test to confirm that the clutch works or not? Is it simply checking, as you mentioned, that the ring gear should be free to move in one direction? I didn't think the idler would be a problem but it was mentioned in another thread so... I don't have any left over gears from reassembly so it should be okay. Yes sir, 35 years of inactivity can do some damage or, in my case, 62 years of activity...LOL.

[hillsy]

Remove the stator cover and it's all there to see. You should have the starter motor going to an idler gear and then onto the starter clutch. Remove the idler gear and try to spin the starter clutch gear - it should spin clockwise but not anti-clockwise.

[BadMonk]

Got it...thanks, hillsy.

[Guest]

Looks like everything has been covered, but something I'd like to ad. I recently had the bolts back out of the starter clutch and shear off on my 1100E. After replacing them, the bike started fine for around ten times, then the clutch started slipping. Took the stator cover off and found out the rotor bolt had loosened and was spinning on the crank. The rotor is a press fit without a key way, if the bolt has loosened or wasn't tighten correctly , it's gonna spin.

[BadMonk]

That good info, gsrick. I'll keep my eyes on those items when I get into it, maybe over the weekend. I'll update the thread when I make some findings. Thank you.

[Brendan W]

With a piece of 4x2 under the left side of the main stand you won't have to drain the oil.
Steve has posted some pics of it. First time I did it scared the hell out of me, so much I had straps and chocks of all kinds going seven ways to Sunday just in case.

[BadMonk]

Problem solved. It seems that the dummy who's doing the restoration and reassembling of the motor and bike put the idler gear in backwards. Oh yeah, the dummy is me. Sometimes I wonder about myself...Lord! Thanks again to all who responded here.

[Brendan W]

I'm lost here. How is the idler gear put in backwards ?
Your application for dummy club membership is acknowledged. As you can imagine there is a waiting list. I'll have a word with the membership secretary but don't hold your breath

[BadMonk]

Let's see...the starter idle gear has two gears. The larger gear is nearest the starter motor and engages the starter motor. The smaller gear is toward the outside (for lack of a better description) and engages the starter clutch set. If you flip the idle gear around so the large gear is on the outside then the starter motor has nothing but thin air to engage...and makes a whirring sound.

[Burque73]

I'm lost here. How is the idler gear put in backwards ?
Your application for dummy club membership is acknowledged. As you can imagine there is a waiting list. I'll have a word with the membership secretary but don't hold your breath

That's funny stuff!

Just a glimpse at Ed Nessism's newbie mistakes thread and you'll see a bunch of applicants for that club. Oh, and please put in a good word with the secretary for me as well.

[Brendan W]

Think I'll be joining you in the line for the Dummy club

[BadMonk]

HAHAHA...It seems to be a bigger club than I imagined...lots of good company...HAHAHA!

[Guest]

Just bought an ‘80 GS1100L with the TSCC engine two days ago. Took it out for a drive this afternoon and stopped at a gas station to get gas. Once I tried to start her back up, the starter just “whirs”. Sounds like it is similar to stuff posted here. I am not a mechanic, but that’s part of why I bought it...to learn. Hopefully I can find out what’s going on with the starter/solenoid/clutch and figure it out. Still...expert advice always accepted. (I’ll print out this thread for reference). Thanks!