Starter issue

[samson66048]

I have a 1980 GS1100, the starter quit about 3 weeks ago, took out and down to an alternater/starter repair shop. Found the spring that holds the positive brush was broken, he replaced, and worked great on bench. Put in bike and you can hear starter spinning, but doesn't ingage the engine. HELP. I took the side cover off, the splines are on the gear and it spins, but the idler gear doesn't turn and ingage the crank. I don't understand why, any other starter I have ever incountered had a silinoid to ingage the starter. I am obviously missing something, and your help would be greatly appreciated. Before the starter failed, it cranked, but now??? HELP

[Aussie Steve]

Welcome Samson.

Just took a look at your post..I am currently at work but when I get home I will take look in my Clymer re my starer motor set up. It will probably turn out to be something put back incorrectly...I do know the starter uses a one way clutch instead of a solonoid setup...as in a car system... and it has to be re-assembled in the correct way so as to crank the engine. Will post in about three hours.

[Aussie Steve]

Update... go to the sticky at the top of the page and click on the parts Microfiche...there is a second site (Bike Bandits .com) that gives very good scematics of your starter clutch. The parts 5/6/7 are probably the culprits of your problem. This will only work in one direction and you may have re-assembled them incorrectly. The spring needs to be in good condition to allow the roller to engage. Hope its a simple thing like that...sounds to be!

Good luck

[samson66048]

Thanks Aussie Steve, the only thing I took out was the starter, never touched the clutch, however, I plan to pull the side off the motor again, and I will look at the clutch for the starter. Hope you are right.

John

[Aussie Steve]

Soumds like the cover removal may have dislodged the roller/spring....hope so!