Bike don't start. Starter just whizzes.

[Ivan1980goldwing]

I just bought a 1980 Honda goldwing gl1100. It was starting just fine on the first click and then all of a sudden a couple days ago I went to start the bike and the starter just whizzes and the solenoid just clicks. Any recommendations on what I could Do? I called a couple shops but no one wants to work on an old bike unfortunately.

[WingAdmin]

I just bought a 1980 Honda goldwing gl1100. It was starting just fine on the first click and then all of a sudden a couple days ago I went to start the bike and the starter just whizzes and the solenoid just clicks. Any recommendations on what I could Do? I called a couple shops but no one wants to work on an old bike unfortunately.

If the starter is turning but the engine is not, then chances are it is the sprag clutch. The sprags in the starter clutch get clogged with sludge due to poor oil flow in that area.

The best (simplest, cheapest) way to fix it is to pour a can of Seafoam into your oil. Then get the bike started - if you can get the starter to catch then great, if not, then you might need to bump start it. Go out and ride (gently, as the oil will be thinner) for an hour or two. Then come back, and while it's still warm, drain and replace the oil. In most cases, this will dissolve the sludge and solve the problem.

[Ivan1980goldwing]

Cool, I'll try that and let you know how it went. I appreciate it!

[Ivan1980goldwing]

I'm not able to bum start it unfortunately. It's in my back yard and the drive way is on an uphill.
What should I do if I pour the seafoam in and I can't get the starter to engage? Would I have to drop the engine to change the starter clutch out? Or is there a simpler way?

[RBGERSON]

Applying heat to the area of the sprang might loosen it up a heat gun or even a strong light bulb might do it. Another more involved method requires drilling a hole in a spot so you can squirt solvent right at the sprang's sprang's and plugs. Last pic shows a port added and the straw in the hole..Or as you said pull the engine.

.

[DaveO430]

. Another more involved method requires drilling a hole in a spot so you can squirt solvent right at the sprang's sprang's and plugs. Last pic shows a port added and the straw in the hole..Or as you said pull the engine.


.GL1100 Starter Clutch Assembly.jpgcleaner holes.jpginspectionn port.jpginspectionn port.jpg

That ONLY works on GL1000s, 1100s do not have those holes in the rotor.

[terryt]

I'm not able to bum start it unfortunately. It's in my back yard and the drive way is on an uphill.
What should I do if I pour the seafoam in and I can't get the starter to engage? Would I have to drop the engine to change the starter clutch out? Or is there a simpler way?

Is it not possible to push the bike up the drive then bump start it down the drive!

[terryt]

Applying heat to the area of the sprang might loosen it up a heat gun or even a strong light bulb might do it. Another more involved method requires drilling a hole in a spot so you can squirt solvent right at the sprang's sprang's and plugs. Last pic shows a port added and the straw in the hole..Or as you said pull the engine.


.GL1100 Starter Clutch Assembly.jpgcleaner holes.jpginspectionn port.jpginspectionn port.jpg

Those photo bring back some memories. I done that setup on a engine I had I bits posted them on n/g/w page a few years back.

[Ivan1980goldwing]

Is it not possible to push the bike up the drive then bump start it down the drive.

I'm not an experienced enough rider to do that. I only drove it around the block the first day I got it.

[eklimek]

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22207&p=129072#p122537


Trick is to put solvent on the sprague clutch rollers.

This worked for me and resurrected a gl1100 from being trashed for a $2,200 engine removal.

Ed

[Ivan1980goldwing]

So I'm going to end up pulling the engine out.
Sorry for these newbie questions.
Any tips on what not to do when I'm dropping it? I know I have to drain the coolant. Do I drain the motor oil as well?

[Wilcoy02]

Have you had the battery tested under load? Napa will check it out.Check the easy and cheap things before pulling an engine.

[Ivan1980goldwing]

The battery is fine.

[WingAdmin]

You could also try warming the area in and around the starter clutch. Use a hairdryer for 15-20 minutes and get the area around the starter clutch good and hot - it might be enough to soften the sludge and let the sprags engage.

[DenverWinger]

Invite a bunch of friends over, grill some burgers and hot dogs, and see if you can get them all to help push it up the grade and get it on the road where you can bump-start it.

[indianakid]

OK....... in your original post you stated that "It was starting just fine on the first click" normally a roller sprag clutch will skip or slip for a while prior to total failure. since you state that the problem occurred all of the sudden i am going to suggest to pull the starter and check the planetary gears as they have been known to fail (and that type of failure would be "all of the sudden") especially on some aftermarket starters and since you just purchased the bike it is possible a PO had replaced the starter with an aftermarket unit.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=36613&p=220674&hili ... ar#p220674