Starter issues

[NF11624]

Hi,

This morning I went out to start my GS... I push the button and I hear the starter turn over.  Well, after a few seconds it doesn't look like its gonna do anything, and I figure must be the battery is low.  So I push start it and ride off.  An hour later when I am getting ready to head back home... the same thing happens.  So I push start again, this time taking a longer route thinking the battery needs to charge some more.

I get home, turn off the bike and try to start it again... same as before.  Now I'm starting to worry.  I put the battery on the tender for a few hours and when I went out to work on the lawn I figured I'd check the bike/battery.  Well the battery was set so I place it in the bike and hit start.

Now all I get is a spinning noise ... it continues as long as the button is held in (Sounds like a drill that is just running).

Having done some research, it is my (hope!) understanding that the starter is not engaging (some issue with the starter clutch).  My question is:  Can I ride it in this condition (as long as I can push start it) or will it destroy my engine?

[Dr.Sparkie]

just give it a bump and ride away.
sometimes my starter clutch doesnt engage, i just bump it a little and then it does engage. wont hurt your motor, i've been doing it for two years.

[The Buddha]

Battery not charging+starter clutch not engaging ... sounds awful lot like they could be related ... They both are on the left side of the engine by your foot.
You have the right battery polarity ? if not, you need to get into the left side of the case and look for goats like items.
Cool.
Buddha.

[NF11624]

The battery was fine - I thought it was going bad overnight but I'm 90% sure it was charging during riding.  The problem seems to be that the starter clutch won't engage - the starter just spins forever (well... when the button is held down).  I have extremely limited mechanic skills - I don't really want to dig into it on my own (and my friends knowledge put together is less than mine  ).  Unfortunately I also lack a means of transporting the bike to the shop if I can't ride it.  So I guess I was hoping to be told that my engine won't be sacrificed if I do start it and ride it to the shop - which I was (though a few more positive responses wouldn't hurt)

[The Buddha]

You dont feel a shaking/wobbling etc when riding right ... then go on ride it after bump starting.
Cool.
Buddha.

[NF11624]

Well... in GSTwin spirit (and in the face of a $140.00 service quote ), I took the Buddha's advice and cracked open the case (after picking up a new gasket of course).  All of the internals were in pristine shape, so I took the advice found here and took the sprag clutch off, removed and reinserted the springs, and reinstalled the sprag clutch - making sure the bolt was as tight as possible.

I tried to start it once the cover was back on... and lo and behold it worked .  Whole job took 1.5 hours, including: taking off fairing (one side), draining oil, taking off sprocket cover, taking off crank case, cleaning and reinstalling springs, reinstalling case and cover, putting fairing back, and adding fresh oil.  Total Cost:  8.80 for gasket and ~11.00 for oil.

Thanks to everyone who commented and came before me (with much greater skill), I couldn't have done it without you  

[Toogoofy317]

Yay! Search to the rescue  I always love hearing a good "I did it all by myself" story. Stick it to the man yeah!

Mary