xenogears76 Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Hello everyone, This is my first post, since I have recently purchased a Yamaha motorcycle and love it. I would enjoy riding it, if I could get it started. Any help or suggestions that anyone can provide would be GREATLY appreciated!!! On to the issue: I have a 1980 Yamaha xs850 Special. I just purchased it recently. When I try to start the bike, the starter clicks and makes a grinding sound that doesn't sound fun at all. The motor only turns over slightly, but the starter goes crazy. I have performed a lot of maintenance on the bike since acquiring it, and it includes: - Brand new battery - New spark plugs - Oil & filter change - Air filter change - Disconnected/cleaned/reconnected ALL wire harnesses and terminals - Flushed gas - Cleaned carbs - Checked middle/final drive fluid - New starter - New starter solenoid When the bike does start, it runs great! It sounds like a champ! I just can't get it started... I believe it to either be a bad ground/shorted wire, or a bad/chewed gear within the starter clutch assembly. I'm leaning more towards the latter, because the starter sounds like it has enough juice to operate, it just won't engage. I have included a video on YouTube showing the issue that I am having. Please check it out. I'll try to embed it after the link, if the forum will let me. - Carl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8NKwGgCUxY <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8NKwGgCUxY?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8NKwGgCUxY?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Hi Carl, I suggest you look at the starter clutch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepurz Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 my guess too, I dont remember the layout on those, but id pop the starter off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cafe_jay Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Did you ever resolve this problem? I have the same problem on the same exact bike? I put a new starter in and still have the problem. Someone told me it could be the starter bendix. I tried searching the internet for the starter bendix, but i havent had any luck. Thank you, Cafe Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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