starter clutch problem

[frsttrn]

I'm new here....I'm working on a 82 XJ1100. I don'y know the whole story about what happened, the problem is the starter spinns the clutch only. if it is gear it will move the whole bike. could it be the sprag gear has gone bad? Thank for any info
cheers Jim

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Jim,

Okay, the starter motor is attached to the starter clutch via a set of gears. The starter clutch grabs the main shaft/clutch shaft. The clutch basket engages with the primary driven gear that goes to the trans. However, the primary/clutch shaft is connected to the crankshaft via the Hy-VO chain.

When the starter is engaged, it turns the primary/clutch shaft AND the crank shaft...Hy-Vo chain is working properly. You say when in gear...and I'm assuming you are not holding the clutch lever to disengage it, and it will spin the rear wheel, which tells me that the clutch basket is working, the frictions are grabbing so the central primary/clutch shaft is spinning, the plates are grabbing and spinning the outer basket which spins the driven gear going to the trans.

But if the crank/pistons are not turning, I would look at the Hy-Vo chain! You can take the right ALT cover off, and spin the engine via the ALT nut/bolt....it turns Counter-clockwise from that right side, don't try turning it using the square nut type fitting of the left side timing plate, it's not very strong!! I'm assuming you have the clutch cover OFF, or you're looking thru the oil fillter opening to see the cutch basket turning??? With it in neutral, you should see the clutch basket spinning when you turn the engine by hand...remove the spark plugs to make this easier, and IF the clutch isn't spinning, that will pretty much confirm the Hy-Vo chain as the likely culprit.

I've not heard of one breaking, but they can stretch. But perhaps some other REAL mechanics will chime in here?
T.C.