Starter just whirrs and I suspect it is the starter clutch. I have a low mileage starter to replace the old one. Is the starter clutch inside the starter itself? Or on jackshaft? I would assume its in the starter.

Can I install the new starter and be done?

Can you check it by starting the bike with the primary cover off to if the problem is solved without taking the p cover on and off?
Thanks

 

If you are going to wrench Get a manual.

 

Good advice right above. Get the shop manual.

When you get the manual, you'll find you have to take the primary cover off anyway, in order to get the starter off the bike. (a long bolt that goes thru the jackshaft is behind the p.c.)

My advice with starters is this: replace it. When I had problems with mine on the FXR I took it off, took it to the generator/starter shop and had the starter solenoid rebuilt. Put it all back on and still wouldn't work consistently. After two or three off and ons, I finally put on a new starter, and haven't had a problem since.

I sold the old starter on eBay to some other unsuspecting schlub.

(Just kidding. I took it back to the shop for them to use as a core...)

 

Went through the same thing with my '04 this summer. Hit the Start button and all I got was a whirrr, no starter engagement. When the starter was taken out and taken apart, the starter clutch was fried and the starter motor windings were begining to go also. I had a complete new starter put in, under warranty thankfully, and have had no problems since.

Best advice is that you're going to tear it all apart anyway, remove the outer primary, etc., better to have a whole new starter installed now than to get stuck somewhere at the worst or most inconvenient time.