Topic: Electric starter motor/Clutch

[davido]

I have a CB550F1 from 1976. The electric starter has never worked (I've always used the kick starter).I want to have a go at repairing it. I bought a repair kit for the starter motor itself and I have a couple of spare solenoids but I'm wondering about the starter clutch.Specifically the springs.I don't fancy the idea of the springs letting go from so many years of inactivity. If the Starter motor hasn't moved in 30 years,does that mean the starter clutch also hasn't moved in 30 years or does the kickstart also work the starter clutch? Thanks.

[69cb750]

The switch, solenoid, starter motor, clutch can fail.
Push the button and tell us what happens.

[bryanj]

They dont move much and never seen a broken one

[jonda500]

I don't think sitting unused would hurt the starter clutch. They can wear out - mine will grab when the engine is at operating temperature, but just slips and makes noise without turning the engine when the engine's cold. You'll have to get the starter motor going to find out - can't hurt to try.
John

[HondaMan]

I have seen the starter-clutch rollers slightly rusted in place (1 of the 3), which made that one get a 'flat spot' on it from use. Then when the start button was pressed the starter would run but the clutch slipped: a 2nd or 3rd try to usually make it 'catch' and start. That was on a 750.

On a 750 I got once from a flooded Kentucky basement, the clutch had been under water for 3 days, watermarks right at the base of the cylinders on the engine. The clutch rollers were all rusted (spring and pegs, too) so I got new ones from PartsNmore and cleaned out the starter and away it ran! I put new starter brushes in that one, too, because their springs were rusty. After all that, it worked!

On several 500/550 engines I have seen the flat-spot issue on the rollers, too, but then the starter just 'slips' and spins and won't turn the engine over. BUT: these were really hi-mileage engines (40k+ miles), too. One of them had a broken spring so the roller would not reach out to the crankshaft. The roller was OK, the spring just cracked.

[Floshenbarnical]

I have the starter motor and the reduction gear and that’s it, lol. POS PO took it off because kickstart-only is cool or something. So I have to examine a parts page and figure out 1) what I need 2) how to put it all together 3) how to wire it in! That can be a winter project tbh.

[HondaMan]

I have the starter motor and the reduction gear and that’s it, lol. POS PO took it off because kickstart-only is cool or something. So I have to examine a parts page and figure out 1) what I need 2) how to put it all together 3) how to wire it in! That can be a winter project tbh.

For the 750?
All you should need would be the shaft (for the starter reduction gear) and the big flat washer to face off the reduction gear, and install the starter (and the solenoid...). Then pull off the alternaotr cover, slide in the gear, then locate it with the shaft, then the washer, and cover back on.

Then there's the starter...you might find that you have to remove the cam chain tensioner in order to get the starter in.

[davido]

 Thanks for all the replies. The question still remains,does the kickstart use the starter clutch?

[jonda500]

Thanks for all the replies. The question still remains,does the kickstart use the starter clutch?

No

[bryanj]

Totaly different system, i have been told you can do the starter clutch through the sump but i have always removed lower case and if this has been stood that long its the only way i would entertain doing the job

[davido]

 bryanj,I'm not planning to do anything with the starter clutch. At least not until the next rebuild. I was just wanting to overhaul the starter motor, replace the solenoid and push the button but if the clutch hasn't moved in 30 years, I worry that the shock of a spin might break a spring and send it into places it shouldn't go. jonda500,clear and to the point.Thanks.Thats what I was looking for.

[bryanj]

The tiny springs are held in a hole with a blind cup so i dont think bits can get out even if one breaks, you can tell if it is working as you can see the starter gear through the hole the starter goes into and it should spin one way but not the other if you try to move it

[davido]

Aha! That's interesting. I'll have a look at that tomorrow. Thanks.

[dave500]

the kicker drives via the clutch,these are not "primary"kickers,if you pull the clutch in the kicker will spin free,you can electric start these in gear with the clutch pulled in though,ive done an electric start clutch swap by dropping just the pan/sump,i have a thread with photos on this forum how to,its a fiddle but doable,id do it with the motor in frame again versus pulling the motor if i ever had to again,they rarely fail but at 50 years old?ya can get a dud one?

[bryanj]

Yes dave it is doable but with 72 yr old arthritic big hands it is less so as so frustrating its easier to pull the lump! Plus getting back up off the floor these days is a real faff, have you noticed that some swine keeps movinf the floor farther away every birthday, or more freqent in my case!!!

[dave500]

ha,im 66,im no ballet dancer either!mind you i still run a skip bin truck and clamber all over it handling hooks etc,i think its the only thing thats kept me going is being so active?

[Floshenbarnical]

I have the starter motor and the reduction gear and that’s it, lol. POS PO took it off because kickstart-only is cool or something. So I have to examine a parts page and figure out 1) what I need 2) how to put it all together 3) how to wire it in! That can be a winter project tbh.

For the 750?
All you should need would be the shaft (for the starter reduction gear) and the big flat washer to face off the reduction gear, and install the starter (and the solenoid...). Then pull off the alternaotr cover, slide in the gear, then locate it with the shaft, then the washer, and cover back on.

Then there's the starter...you might find that you have to remove the cam chain tensioner in order to get the starter in.

It’s only three bolts and i have a spare gasket gonna have to take it off to replace the oil pressure switch regardless

[HondaMan]

Yes dave it is doable but with 72 yr old arthritic big hands it is less so as so frustrating its easier to pull the lump! Plus getting back up off the floor these days is a real faff, have you noticed that some swine keeps movinf the floor farther away every birthday, or more freqent in my case!!!

I've also noticed that the tools are further away than they were. They're smaller, too.