Topic: CB500 Stripped Starter Pinion Gear. What caused this in the first place ??

[toolguy]

Just picked up a 71 CB500-f
Seller said starter hadn't worked for years but starts fine with kickstarter.

Heres what I found, ,  starter motor teeth chipped but 90% intact except for chips on the crown of the teeth
Bad Part.. Starter pinion gear [ the one the starter engages is entirely stripped all the way around]

I pulled the pan and found it full of teeth.  With the motor in the bike, I remover the starter clutch
which seems to function properly with no gear teeth wear or chips.  I then got the stripped pinion gear out. .
Everything cleaned and ready to reassemble with replacement starter and pinion gear. .

Question. .  I can't figure out what failed to make this happen in the first place and don't want to put
something back in that with repeat the problem . .
Do you have an idea on what caused the stripped pinion gear in the first place or what to look for??
While the starter clutch seems to work properly, spins freely on way and locks on the other,  is
there something I'm missing. .

Thanks in advance. .  New Guy

[Vinhead1957]

I think the starter just wore out at the gear and took out the larger drive gear. I had the same sort of failure and replaced the starter and drive gear.

[dave500]

ive never seen one worn much,maybe its been cranked and cranked and cranked as in hard to start?

[Tews19]

Starter clutch should spin only one way and lock in the opposite.