86 VFR Starter Problem???

Messed up. Panic stopped and thumbed the starter in the process. Now when I start the bike with the starter it is like the starter will not disengage and the bike won't continue up to idle. However if I push start the engine bypassing the starter, it runs fine. But it is also like something needs to disengage the first couple of push starts, then the bike starts.
I pulled the starter and it spins up fine, but there is no "outward motion of engagement" like an automobile starter. Like where you put power to the starter and the gears move out and spin to engage the flywheel on a car. Is there supposed to be? Or is the starter always engaged to the motor and the starter clutch takes it out of the picture?
All the teeth on all the gears behind the engine cover appear fine. No chipped or missing teeth.
Anyone know what to look at and check to fix???

Thanks for your help.

 

The starter is fine, it is connected to the starter clutch at all times and the starter clutch only grabs the crank when it is spinning slower than the clutch. The first thing that comes to mind is that the starter button is stuck in the start position, a very common problem. Tough to tell from here given the description.

 

Check that your starter button isn't sticking down. I ran into that on my bike. Sometimes the button on the handlebar wouldn't release, and it would continue to drive the starter motor after getting the engine going.

 

Thanks. I'll check out the starter switch. The bike only has a little over 14,000 miles. Any other sticky parts or parts that may have been damaged? Starter clutch springs weakened? I figure while the cover is off the side of the engine may as well check all I can.

Thanks

 

Any places you can recommend for online parts? Haven't had to do much to the bike, but I am overdue a lot of minor stuff.

 

OEM motorcycle and ATV parts from Honda, Yamaha & Polaris – Cycle Parts Warehouse has good prices.

The RH switch is discontinued, you'll want to buy a 5th gen RH switch to replace that old one with.

 

Thanks for your help

 

If the starter switch is your problem any gen will fit , but gen 3 and above is a direct fit and a much better part.

 

What year starts the 3rd Gen? 4th? 5th?

 

Disregard...