Starter clunks and doesnt turn engine over

VF500F2. Sometimes I get a "clunk" when hitting the starter. Engine doesnt turn over. I leave it a while and retry and sometimes it turns over and sometimes "clunk" again. I presume I have a starter clutch issue. But before I pull the clutch cover off for a look, is this a known issue?
Prior to this it started fine, even when I got a "clunk", retrying it started ok.

 

Like, clunk and nothing? Or clunk then marbles in a tin can?

Could be your battery doesn't have the power to turn the engine over.. have you load tested it?

My experience with the starter clutch is the springs getting weak or the housing physically cracks.

Does the engine turn over by hand by placing in a high gear and turning the rear wheel?

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Clunk and nothing. Battery is fully charged. Engine can be turned over.

 

Check/clean the connections at the solenoid?

Then it may be time to bench test the starter itself

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The battery can show you full charge, but not enough amps to crank the engine.. they've fooled me before. Had a battery check out with 12.6v, but engine would crank and not fire. Changed the battery and she fired up immediately.

Check the voltage at the terminals while cranking. If it drops below 10v, it's done

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CCA is no joke. Voltage is nice but make sure the battery is rated properly for Cold Cranking Amps. Some simple cleaning maintenance can make a big difference on the starter itself as well.
If performance has dwindled I would gamble on a new properly rated battery.

 

Hi all,
thanks for the input. I checked all the starter side cabling and battery ampage etc. All was good. I pulled the clutch cover off and found the issue straight away. Dont you just love a smoking gun!
Im lucky this didnt wreak havoc and only jammed when trying to start it

 

You have another issue unfortunately....

 

Yes I noticed that too. I have a second hand item on order. Everything else seems to have survived ok.

 

Anyone care to share some words about these issues?

 

It is a known issue of the early VF/VFR starter clutches. They crack (as indicated) and then will continue to get worse, and sound more and more like a rock polisher when it doesn't "grip". Eventually they can really FAIL. The inner piece is thin right there and the jarring of the rollers catching, slipping, catching can be too much. It cracks and then from continued use starts pushing out the outer ring with the timing bumps. Some bikes won't have the issue, it might have something to due with previous owners' starting habits. I know it's just pushing a button, but I've watched people and thought, "Holy FUCK, what are you doing? Give it a break".

tsmitty on VFRD has documented his journey dealing with it in the early stages of failure.

Desmo888 has a pretty bad example. Inspect your new-used part closely when it arrives. You might get some new springs and rollers when you put it back together. Good luck.

 

not the first time ive seen one of those 3 bolts back out, should be secured with blue locktite to eliminate the problem.

 

^ good tip when it goes back together.