What could go bad with the starter? sheared somethin!!!!!

[jordanearl]

I was out riding today an what sounded like a fan hitting a shroud stated coming from my gs.  not knowing what it was, i slowly veered out of traffic to the side of the road.  too bad it was too late.  I tried to restart it to see if the sound was still there. The starter spins, an makes a grinding sound.  my guess is that either the abbendix, if it has one, or the starter shaft is all chewed up.  is there anything else that could be damaged, ie. flywheel?  im not able to pick up the bike till tommorow, since its in some guys back yard waitin for me to come get it.  im assuming it will be fairly easy to fix, but what all is involved. 

[starwalt]

This may not be pretty.

The first -- and worst -- possibility is Goat's Syndrome or a variation of it.

Another is Starwalt's Syndrome, though that really requires a seizure of the starter clutch onto the rotor/flywheel.

Your GS doesn't have an "abbendix" -- actually bendix. To see how your GS starter mechanics works CLICK HERE.

In some automobile starter motors (all that I can think of), what is commonly referred to as the bendix is actually a centrifugal mechanism that engages the starter motor drive gear with the starter gear of the engine. If the spring in the bendix breaks, all you hear is the spinning starter motor and no turning engine.

Bendix is/was a company that specialized in motion/motor technology.

[jordanearl]

what would be the weakest point in the starting process?  also im not following on the possibility of it being goats.  what would the stator have to do with the starter?  not meaning to be rude about it, just don't understand. 

[The Buddha]

Thought the GS was sprag
Anyway ... I have 2 bikes - one a seca 2 and another a savage that have busted starter gears. When riding - you can nearly be certain you have goats. Or even starwalts ... or maybe you have starwalts without goats.
Let me ask you something here. Did the bike make metallic clacking noises just as you hit the starter before this happened. If so, you have srinath's.
If it all of a sudden started making clacking noises and felt weirdly out of balance - you got simple goats, if its carrying the starter with it - you got starwalts.
My virago ran the starter when the motor was running due to an electrical short. So if you turn the key and starter runs ... that = what happened to me.
Cool.
Srinath.

[starwalt]

If the starter motor is spinnning, but the starter clutch isn't catching the crankshaft, it could be the springs in the clutch or the clutch "dogs". The dogs bite onto the crankshaft when it turns in the correct direction. They slip when the shaft is turning faster than the starter gear.

You are going to have to inspect the left side under the cover. Look over the goats, srinath, and starwalt threads for how to get there and what to look for.

[jordanearl]

looks like its not goats, or starwalt's, its the dreaded vavle problems, on the left side the valves are clicking together, this was abserved by lookign into the spark plug hole and hand cranking the motor over.  my guess is either one is bent, or a valve guide malfunctioned.  haven't had the time to tear it down, but what other damage could be in there, and whats the cheapest easiset fix for this.  ie replace valves, guides, or try an find a cheap replacement head off a parts bike?

[starwalt]

looks like its not goats, or starwalt's, its the dreaded vavle problems...

Best we let dgyver, Bob B, srinath or another 10th level gearhead respond to this.   

I'm just a 5th level gear head with a 10th level electrical rating. 

Starwalt's syndrome gets you what's in my avatar. 

[jordanearl]

while im glad i don't have those other problems, i feel i still got screwed   ive never tore down a head of any type, but hey, gotta learn somewhere.  is it best to replace all valves, or just damaged ones? 

[billlang675]

This may not be pretty.

The first -- and worst -- possibility is Goat's Syndrome or a variation of it.

Another is Starwalt's Syndrome, though that really requires a seizure of the starter clutch onto the rotor/flywheel.

Your GS doesn't have an "abbendix" -- actually bendix. To see how your GS starter mechanics works CLICK HERE.

In some automobile starter motors (all that I can think of), what is commonly referred to as the bendix is actually a centrifugal mechanism that engages the starter motor drive gear with the starter gear of the engine. If the spring in the bendix breaks, all you hear is the spinning starter motor and no turning engine.

Bendix is/was a company that specialized in motion/motor technology.

Wow I love it when I learn something. Cool 

[starwalt]

So what's going on with the head & valves??

Bumping & hoping to catch the eye of a level 10 Wrench Head for you.

[jordanearl]

things been so hectic for me, it may be awhile before i can tear it down