thrillseeker
Been Around the Block
I've run into some repeating issues with the starting system on my 360 and wanted to see if others have run into the same things and if there are fixes that I and others should be aware of. I figure I can document some of the issues and fixes here for others to reference in the future. If you have input on any issues or solutions please post in this thread and I can update this first post with other problems and solutions.
The starter clutch housing becomes cracked/dented
Symptoms:
1. loud pinging sound or sounds like nuts and bolts in your motor when electric start button is pressed.
2. Slipping starter when the electric start is engaged.
Causes:
There seems to be 2 ways the clutch becomes cracked.
1. The inner "body" of the starter clutch forms a hairline crack. A quick ebay search returns many people trying to sell starter clutches in this condition. I'm not sure how this happens. maybe someone can chime in.
2. The outer round surface becomes cracked and "dimpled" from within. This seems to be from the pistons smacking into the inside surface of the outer housing. this seems to be really common because its happened to 2 of my starter clutches now and a quick search on ebay shows multiple people trying to sell clutches with this problem. Anyone know what causes this?
solutions:
1. replace the starter clutch housing with a good unit. These can be hard to find because most photos on ebay listings don't display pictures of all sides of the starter clutch.
2. any other fixes? any preventative measures? any way to reinforce the outside of the clutch? any reasons why this happens?
preventative measures:
The kick start ratchet guide becomes bent/worn
Symptoms:
Ratcheting/buzzing sound while the engine is running. sound is coming from the right side of the motor behind where the kick starter attaches. lifting the kickstart lever doesnt make the sound go away
Causes
I think this happens if the assembly doesnt get lubricated properly
Solutions
1. Buy a new kickstart ratchet guide.
2. Bend the guide back to shape. I even went as far as to weld some more metal in the armpit of the guide to give it more strength in the bends and hopefully prevent it from bending. This seems to have worked so far
3. Apply some assembly lube to the entire ratchet mechanism and guide when assembling
Preventative measures:
1. Pull the clutch lever in and operate the kick start a couple times slowly before trying to start the bike. this will get oil on all the surfaces
By the way I'm looking for a good starter clutch so if anyone has one in good shape I'd love to give you some money for it!
The starter clutch housing becomes cracked/dented
Symptoms:
1. loud pinging sound or sounds like nuts and bolts in your motor when electric start button is pressed.
2. Slipping starter when the electric start is engaged.
Causes:
There seems to be 2 ways the clutch becomes cracked.
1. The inner "body" of the starter clutch forms a hairline crack. A quick ebay search returns many people trying to sell starter clutches in this condition. I'm not sure how this happens. maybe someone can chime in.
2. The outer round surface becomes cracked and "dimpled" from within. This seems to be from the pistons smacking into the inside surface of the outer housing. this seems to be really common because its happened to 2 of my starter clutches now and a quick search on ebay shows multiple people trying to sell clutches with this problem. Anyone know what causes this?
solutions:
1. replace the starter clutch housing with a good unit. These can be hard to find because most photos on ebay listings don't display pictures of all sides of the starter clutch.
2. any other fixes? any preventative measures? any way to reinforce the outside of the clutch? any reasons why this happens?
preventative measures:
The kick start ratchet guide becomes bent/worn
Symptoms:
Ratcheting/buzzing sound while the engine is running. sound is coming from the right side of the motor behind where the kick starter attaches. lifting the kickstart lever doesnt make the sound go away
Causes
I think this happens if the assembly doesnt get lubricated properly
Solutions
1. Buy a new kickstart ratchet guide.
2. Bend the guide back to shape. I even went as far as to weld some more metal in the armpit of the guide to give it more strength in the bends and hopefully prevent it from bending. This seems to have worked so far
3. Apply some assembly lube to the entire ratchet mechanism and guide when assembling
Preventative measures:
1. Pull the clutch lever in and operate the kick start a couple times slowly before trying to start the bike. this will get oil on all the surfaces
By the way I'm looking for a good starter clutch so if anyone has one in good shape I'd love to give you some money for it!
