XS1100 Starter Clutch

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Weakke
    New
    • Nov 2024
    • 2

    #1

    XS1100 Starter Clutch

    Have a 1981 XS1100. My starter clutch not engaging properly. Can anyone tell me how to get to it? Anyone done this before?
  • Radioguylogs
    XS-XJ Guru
    • Nov 2012
    • 1934
    • Presque Isle, MI

    #2
    Have to split the engine cases.

    Of course it's been done, but fortunately they don't seem to fail as often as other bike models.

    You probably want to make sure your battery and the connections to the battery/starter relay/starter are good before you go too far into this.
    -Mike
    _________
    '79 XS1100SF 20k miles
    '80 XS1100SG 44k miles
    '81 XS1100H Venturer 35k miles
    '79 XS750SF 17k miles
    '85 Honda V65 Magna ~7k miles
    '84 Honda V65 Magna 48k miles (parts bike)
    '86 Yamaha VMAX 9k miles

    Previous: '68 Motoguzzi 600cc + '79 XS750SF 22k miles +'84 Honda V65

    Comment

    • DEEBS11
      XS-XJ Guru
      • Feb 2023
      • 1397
      • Connecticut

      #3
      Another thing to mention is that it's usually caused by short trips and sometimes not enough oil changes this can cause water build-up. You probably have a lot of moisture in the crankcase which is normal for a bike that sits for a period of time. The easiest cure is to pop start it (your 81 doesn't have a kicker shaft) and ride it on the highway for a few hours to really heat the motor to burn off the water. However, If you get the engine running and just let it sit idling to warm it up, you will actually increase the amount of moisture in the motor which will make the problem worse. This is why you should never start your bike in the winter and not actually drive it.

      If you do ride for a few hours and really get that motor up to normal temperature, drop the oil & filter and put Rotella 15W/40 in it. Don't start it again until you are ready to ride.


      Click image for larger version

Name:	uNuXoTO.jpg
Views:	84
Size:	164.3 KB
ID:	882368

      Comment

      • cajun31
        Moderator
        • Oct 2003
        • 1787
        • Brandon, MS

        #4
        What has been said are both valid points. Question. Specifically what kind of oil are you using in the bike? The reason I ask is because if you are not using a high quality motorcycle oil then the sludge that is being formed inside the engine is probably part of the issue. Oils engineered for cars is not well suited for use in motorcycles. It has been known to cause problems with sludge buildup. The starter clutch falls victim to this sludge.
        2 - 80 LGs bought one new
        81 LH
        02 FXSTB Nighttrain
        22 FLTRK Road Glide Limited
        Jim

        Comment

        • Socer4m
          XStremely XSive
          • Sep 2020
          • 231
          • san diego

          #5
          I probably did a no no quick fix way back when,,,,had a slipping starter also, so I dumped in some engine/trans cleaner from walmart,,,ran it in the case for 10 minutes, drained put in new oil, and it worked great, no more slipping,,,stuff came out like black crapola,,,,,,,,,,,,,,good luck,,,Mike in S.Diego and Pa

          Comment

          • bikerphil
            Master of XSology
            • Jan 2008
            • 8634
            • South Flori-DUH

            #6
            The cold weather will affect the starter clutch too.
            2H7 (79) owned since '89
            3H3 owned since '06

            "If it ain't broke, modify it"

            Comment

            • JonnyO
              XStremely XSive
              • Oct 2020
              • 229
              • Sun City West, AZ

              #7
              Well my experience, more than four years ago, was that I put the wrong type of engine oil in mine that had 19,000 miles on it ( won't go into detail now ) and it started slipping when engaging to try to start it. The guys here suggested Yamalube 10-40 and I as soon as I changed it and ever since it's been a one-bump of the starter button to get it started. 22,000 miles on it now.
              Last edited by JonnyO; 12-01-2024, 02:43 PM.

              Comment

              Working...