Starter spins but the engine does not engage

[Roaming Wolf]

Tried to start the bike today and and appears that the starter spins but won't engage the engine. Then after the third attempt it finally cranked. I googled and it says that most probably it is a starter clutch that has to be replaced. My question is: on a K9 2018 is it possible to remove the starter without disassembling the primary?

 

[Jwooky]

Yes you can remove the starter without the primary

 

[Mr. Wright]

That's a good question. My guess is the primary cover will have to be removed.
It won't hurt to try to pull the starter out first. If it does come out and the gear is missing from the end, you'll know what the problem is.

 

[Mr. Wright]

Yes you can remove the starter without the primary

He's working on an 2018, which has a primary like the 04 and.older.

 

[Chong]

Do those have a jack shaft screw ?
If so that may have backed out ?

 

[Roaming Wolf]

I checked the starter of BDM that is currently available for all the models and it looks like it has to come out without the primary.

 

[Roaming Wolf]

Can the starter solenoid cause the same issue?

 

[Chong]

Sorry .. I know the 04 and back bikes which do have a Jack Shaft screw that you would need to remove the primary cover to access.
That screw has to come out to remove the the starter. I also had one on a Harley that came loose and the starter only engaged intermittently. Tightening it solved my problem.. It has a locking washer that bends over one side of the bolt head. Also it has a tab on the back side that goes into a key slot on the shaft that stops it from turning.

I don't know if the 05 up use this screw?

 

[Roaming Wolf]

Sorry .. I know the 04 and back bikes which do have a Jack Shaft screw that you would need to remove the primary cover to access.
That screw has to come out to remove the the starter. I also had one on a Harley that came loose and the starter only engaged intermittently. Tightening it solved my problem.. It has a locking washer that bends over one side of the bolt head. Also it has a tab on the back side that goes into a key slot on the shaft that stops it from turning.

I don't know if the 05 up use this screw?

I hope mine is the new one). The bike's got around 5k miles so far, I can't believe the stater clutch failed this fast.

 

[Mickmorris]

I hope mine is the new one). The bike's got around 5k miles so far, I can't believe the stater clutch failed this fast.

Well like Shannon said your primary is the old style and it would have the locking washer on it that Ken mentioned. Strange that it started the third time though…

 

[Roaming Wolf]

Ok. Found some videos.
1. Old model starter removal.

2. New model starter removal: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/woqWmo2HOYc

I believe, since my bike is 2018 I should have a new starter, which will come out without the primary removal. We shall see.

 

[HMAN]

Ok. Found some videos.
1. Old model starter removal.

2. New model starter removal: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/woqWmo2HOYc

I believe, since my bike is 2018 I should have a new starter, which will come out without the primary removal. We shall see.

Just take a bunch of before pics as you go. Always good referance when ya get lost.

 

[Roaming Wolf]

Took it out today. On EFI bikes you do not need to remove anything to unscrew the cover, just push the wires aside and disconnect the battery.

 

[Roaming Wolf]

The contact surface looks pretty shitty and the inside connectors even worse. Will try to use sand paper and clean it. If does not work, will have to replace. Strangely, there is no marking on this solenoid. I wish I could look for alternatives.

 

[Roaming Wolf]

Anyone tried to replace this cover with a push button?

 

[Chong]

Yes, slam button is pretty common .

 

[Mickmorris]

They have solenoid rebuild kits. Very simple.

 

[Roaming Wolf]

I prefer buying electric parts from outside. They are much higher quality than from BDM.

 

[Roaming Wolf]

The cleaning did not help. The starter spins, the solenoid engages, the engine does not crank. Will be removing the starter tomorrow.

 

[Roaming Wolf]

Just as Mr Wright said the primary will have to be removed. Disconnected everything, removed the battery tray out, the starter moves freely but won't come out.