TOPIC:

Been having a few issues with the starter. Not sure if it is a starter motor issue or the starter clutch I have been reading about. Anyway, the starter has been whirring away without turning the motor over. It does not do it all the time but enough to make me nervous. It makes a horrible racket and will eventually catch and start. I can't say it has gotten worse over time but when I have not ridden it for a while it tends to do it more. I just don't want to get stranded. Does this sound like a a starter/solenoid issue or the mysterious starter clutch?
I need to go in for a clutch plate replacement should I look at doing whatever to the starter clutch at the same time?
TIA

Do this first: clean the battery connections on both terminals and clean the connections at the ground connection and where the positive connection goes from the battery to the starter solenoid. Clen the bullet connections as well.

If this has been done then it might be the starter cluthch that needs looking at. Or the stsrter has a loose magnet or one comming loose.

On one of the other forums I frequent a person had to re-epoxy a magnet off of his starter and someone else had the rotor on his alternator(the part that has the magnets and spins in the alternator) come apart.

OK Thanks I'll check my connections tonight.
I said before it has not gotten worse but now I think it definitely has. If it does not catch the first time I go to start it the starter will just spin.
How exactly do you repair a starter clutch if that is the problem? My Haynes manual is not very helpful.

I believe there is a step by step guide to replacing a starter clutch on a KZ650 in the Filebase under the KZ Information tab at the top of this page.

Same steps required on a KZ750.

Thanks Steell,
I found it and downloaded the step-by-step. Looks like a pain in the *ss. Is this something I would be better off leaving to an expert or can any reasonably competent shadetree mechanic (me) handle this?

Well checked my connections and cleaned everything.
No improvement. Looks like I am going in...
I read the KZ650 write-up and it says you can do this with the engine in or out of the frame. Has anyone done this with the engine in the frame? I wonder if it is a lot less hassle to just yank the motor out...
Anyone?

I wouldn't even think of doing it with the motor in the bike, but I'm rather on the large size with large hands (and a big head)

I hear that. I'm the same way and farsighted to boot. I can't see anything close up.
Sounds like the motor is coming out. Too bad since the weather is perfect for riding.
Sigh....

I hear that. I'm the same way and farsighted to boot. I can't see anything close up.
Sounds like the motor is coming out. Too bad since the weather is perfect for riding.
Sigh....

ThatGPzGuy wrote:

...Sounds like the motor is coming out....

Do yourself a favor and remove the clutch hub and basket before you pull the engine. Getting the clutch hub nut off can be a real pita, blocking the rear wheel with either the rear brake or a piece of wood stuck in the wheel is a lot easier than holding the clutch basket/hub.