VFR 750FT (1996) Starting Problem

My old faithful has 120,000 miles on the clock and recently wouldn't start whilst cold. It happened a couple of times but started when the weather turned milder. I had to charge the battery as constant turning over the starter motor drained it. The latest episode produced the usual starter motor sound then that stopped suddenly and became a gurgle / whirring noise. I called the recovery service and he said the battery was flat again. He boost started it using his mobile starter pack and it went first time. He then diagnosed charging system fault so I replaced the regulator (my third one). I charged the battery but it still won't start - the starter motor doesn't even turn over - I just get the horrible whirring noise. The electric supply appears good and the battery shows 13.6 volts across the elctrodes.

I'm confused as to how it started on the recovery guy's starter pack but not when I've re-charged the battery. Maybe its not electrical? Can anyone help?

 

Sounds like your starter clutch has failed, remove the clutch cover remove the starter clutch and inspect it for damage. Common failure and an easy repair.

 

Well, it turned out to be the battery after all. I had fixed the reg/rec and charged the battery up but it still wouldn't start and I then tried jump starting it from my 800 but it still wouldn't. This made me wonder if it wasn't electrical. It turns out that both batteries were charging up but had lost capacity and would not support any electrical demand. I replaced the 800 battery first and the 750 jump started off it straight away. I now have 2 new batteries and 2 fully functioning VFRs. Now for a long awaited ride. No. it's snowing...