Once in awhile I still get a big clunk from my starter. Is there a problem?

badyellowvette

badyellowvette

Active Member
I got a clunk a couple months ago and broke my starter shaft. Curtis rebuilt it and it works better then ever. Now at least once in a day when I am riding I get that big clunk. Everything is working but it gets scary when I go to push that starter button again. I check the compression releases a couple time a day when I am riding and they seem to be working. I have been thinking about wiring the CR to the starter button like some have done but haven't done that yet.
Anyone else have this problem? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Jim
 
heybaylor

heybaylor

Active Member
The compensator may have weak Bellevue springs..
I/E not enough to keep the cams tight, results in kickback and can take out the starter clutch.
Something to check out
Hope this helps
 
Coolbreezin

Coolbreezin

Active Member
I was breaking jackshafts regularly the first couple years I had my bike. It was determined the inner primary case was not cut perfectly and the little hole for the shaft to go through into the primary was off a few degrees, allowing the shaft to wiggle when I hit the Start button. After 11 starter swaps and a few jackshaft replacements I bought a slam button from Kapt. Never had another problem.
Also, wire the C/R's to the starter so when you press the slam button, they will activate and stay open as long as you press the slam button. Easy job, search the threads for the info. Thats how I did it.
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
I'm having the same problem, all was good the first 3-4 years I had it, and in the last 2-3 years I've replaced 2 starters from a broken housing and a broken starter mount. Same thing 1 out 20 starts, BANG
I do lube the CR regularly and work them by hand and sometimes oush them before I hit the start button, but the time I don't, BANG
I don't think its the primary case because it worked fine for years, I'm leaning toward replacing the CR's but thats not as easy as its sounds either.
 
Coolbreezin

Coolbreezin

Active Member
Get a slam button from Kapt on here. I have NEVER had a bang or broken jackshaft since Ive had it. Just rewire the C/R's to the starter and yr worries are over.
 
badyellowvette

badyellowvette

Active Member
I am going to wire the CR to the starter. But how exactly does the slam button help prevent that bang from the starter from happening? I was under the impression that the slam button was for emergence starting if the electronic fail.
 
pknowles

pknowles

RETIRED
BWG56 said:
I'm having the same problem, all was good the first 3-4 years I had it, and in the last 2-3 years I've replaced 2 starters from a broken housing and a broken starter mount. Same thing 1 out 20 starts, BANG
I do lube the CR regularly and work them by hand and sometimes oush them before I hit the start button, but the time I don't, BANG
I don't think its the primary case because it worked fine for years, I'm leaning toward replacing the CR's but thats not as easy as its sounds either.
Click to expand...
Mine on the 07 k9 had started the clunking and when I pulled it down to install the open primary I found the broken starter housing. Haven't had any trouble since.
 
badyellowvette

badyellowvette

Active Member
Where was the housing broken? It was fine after Curtis rebuilt it a couple months ago and I can't see anything with it on the bike.
 
cdogg556

cdogg556

Guru
I was wondering the same thing about the "slam button" how does it help with the clunking? Isn't it just basically a starter button mounted directly to the starter?
 
Last edited:
heybaylor

heybaylor

Active Member
the slam button (when pushed with force) makes a solid mechanical contact with the starter terminals.
results =all of the available current from the battery goes to the starter/

the solenoid uses magnetic pull to close the contacts, can result in partial contact due to bouncing, pitting, burned spots on the ring, and or terminals.
results= some current is dropped by the solenoid windings, and other relays.
dirty/pitted contacts can result in poor transfer of current.
hope this helps
 
cdogg556

cdogg556

Guru
heybaylor said:
the slam button (when pushed with force) makes a solid mechanical contact with the starter terminals.
results =all of the available current from the battery goes to the starter/

the solenoid uses magnetic pull to close the contacts, can result in partial contact due to bouncing, pitting, burned spots on the ring, and or terminals.
results= some current is dropped by the solenoid windings, and other relays.
dirty/pitted contacts can result in poor transfer of current.
hope this helps
Click to expand...
Ok, I see what your saying but if there is a problem with the starter or if your breaking jackshafts I just don't see how the slam button would help that problem, I would think it might be worse since you are getting all the available power to the starter.
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
I don't think a slam button will cure this, the bang is like the old days when you had kick start and it kicked back. I believe its the CR's not working 100% of the time, and you don't know when its gonna happen. I think the cylinder is on full compression when it happens.
 
cdogg556

cdogg556

Guru
BWG56 said:
I don't think a slam button will cure this, the bang is like the old days when you had kick start and it kicked back. I believe its the CR's not working 100% of the time, and you don't know when its gonna happen. I think the cylinder is on full compression when it happens.
Click to expand...
Now that I understand and agree with!
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
I wonder what would happen if you tried to wire the CR's to a separate switch directly from the battery to hit right before you hit the start button, then you could hit the switch and feel them moving and or check them regularly. Would this screw with the ECH?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top