Starter problem 4th gen

Battery is fully charged. Starter engages for a second, then disengages and just spins. Don’t see any bad or corroded connections. Thoughts? Just buy a new starter?

 

Starter clutch likely not engaging properly.... a little refurb might fix you right up.

 

^^ yes, the starter clutch needs inspection/service.

 

The starter clutch has some heavy rollers that throw out and disengage when spun fast by the engine, but lock down and grip when driven by the starter, held in place by springs. If the springs have gone limp or the rollers are worn, then the clutch won't grip and the starter will just spin. The starter clutch is easy enough to rebuild, I bought a kit for my 86 which had rollers and springs, but you do need a crankcase gasket as well. If you don't fancy renewing the engine oil, you can do the job on the side stand without oil loss (but don't drop any old gasket or parts into the sump!).

The starter clutch is the big disc next to the clutch, driven from the train of gears at the lower right where the starter motor is. The three bolts hold it together, and there is one bolt (removed here) holding it onto the splines on the crankshaft.

 

What’s the best source of parts for a rebuild like this?

 

Get some genuine parts from somewhere like Partzilla. I'd suggest replacing 14 and 6 on the diagram, those are the roller weights and springs (you'll need 3 of each), plus you'll need a gasket:
https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/11394-MY7-000?ref=0918ed6beb5bdcaf31774b064925c7cb2c3f2257

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1997/vfr750f-a-vfr/pulse-generator

 

From your fave Honda parts source...... items 6, 7, 14

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1997/vfr750f-a-vfr/pulse-generator


Edit...... oops... what Terry said. He beat me to it.

 

My Kawasaki EX500 has the typical "crash" sound sometimes when I hit the starter, its only when the starter engages, I have swapped out two starter sprags on these bikes and still get an occasional sound.

The VFR can crack the metal assembly sometimes, I have changed one on one of my gen3 bikes just because I had the parts and it did'nt cost me anything. What I did run into regarding starting was with my high mileage gen3 bike when it was hot. I had a starter lag, I ended up buying an overhaul kit with the brushes etc and that cured my hot start problems. Sounds like a new bike now too.

 

Thanks for all of the help. I got it apart today, and the problem is a cracked starter clutch. The other parts look ok. Is it best practice to replace the rollers and springs when it’s apart?

 

rollers only if you see damage, springs yes as they cost almost nothing.

 

Bad news on the starter clutch. Back ordered everywhere until late May. Anyone have any lines on a used one? There’s nothing on eBay.

 

alot of back orders turn bad, so i'd suggest trying to find one from a salvage yard as the part you need is very hard to find new. 30+ year old bikes are like that.