I know lots of topics on this and I could search. Any opinions on a random starter grind? Was fine since 2011 but now it is starting to just randomly grind when I hit the button. Pulled the cover Saturday. Pinion and Ring Gears look good. Jackshaft still looked good and locking tab in right place. Since I run a dry set up I cleaned it all up and added some more anti-seize lube so that may do it. But just wondering if the starter is going is grinding a symptom.

Thanks guys.

 

Battery fully charged?

 

I should have added. Battery is good. But I will most likely check it again to rule it out. Bike starts nice and strong when it engages properly.

 

Mine started as a random grind and developed into just spinning the pinion. I changed the starter clutch and all is good now.

John

 

Sorry for my stupidity but what is the difference in rebuilding the solenoid and starter clutch?

EDIT nevermind figured it out. So now the question is what could it be.

 

Make sure your battery is good and you keep it on a tender when not riding. The next thing is make sure you battery cables are very tight and making good contact. I had this issue with one of my bikes one time when the previous owner had put a quick disconnect for the tender on the positive terminal, but just that small connection didn't allow for proper connection for optimum voltage flow through the cables. I moved the small connector over to the top bolt (battery had 2 places you could connect to the positive terminal) and tightened the positive battery cable good and tight to make proper connection, and this totally cured the grind problem.

 

Starter clutch letting go makes a sound that you will grit your teeth when it skips and happens when the engine is turning. Usually a starter pinion makes the noise when first engaging and engine isn't turning. Also check the bushing in the cover that supports the starter pinion and not spun out.

 

Got it. This is happening before the motor turns. Sounding like the jackshaft is not coming out enough. But far enough to hit the ring gear. I checked all my connections and could not make it happen last night.

 

I'm leaning toward it being a weak battery or an accumulation of corrosion in the multiple connections in the wiring harness. I battle this issue continuously with my bike. Then again, my bike is older than yours and doesn't have the sealed connectors like yours.

Disassembling and cleaning all connections should help. By all I mean ALL, including ignition switch, handlebar switches, connectors under the tank, fuses, everything.

 

Is it a grind like it's not engaging the ring gear ?

When it does grind , try putting the bike in 3rd or 4th gear and rock it turning the motor to a new ring gear position for the starter to engage in.