1983 GL650 Silverwing with broken starter clutch!

[mlmcleod]

I have a 1983 GL650 Silverwing with a broken starter clutch. It is in really nice condition, but I am hearing about $1200 for a repair by a reputable local repair shop. I am in a real quandry since I really love the bike. I can more than recoup my investment by parting out the bike. I would try to do the repair myself but I don't have a place to do the work. I really hate to part out the bike! What would anyone else here do?

[the chef]

I don;t have a "shop" either , I would get a manual an old piece of carpet to work on get online to find out how to do it , make sure I had all the parts and tools needed and get out in the driveway and get it fixed. 1200 bucks ?? NOWAY!! Get something to cover it with in case of rain .
Are you a member at the CHOPPERCHARLES site for these bikes ? Some of those guys are a bit youngish in the head if you get my drift but you can get help , ask Blindstitch for help. Some of those dudes are liable to just say something like " get a manual and read it " pissed me off with an answer like that but I got finally the help I needed. I have an 81 gl 500 and its new to me so I can't tell you how.

Heck if you live in an apt that won't let you wrench see about renting a mini storage unit for a month. Or take it to a friends house.

[the chef]

Heck I can't even get that site to come up any more. ??? I don't know what to tell you except ,,,,,,it's worth fixing your bike.

[Rat]

Try the easy stuff first, drain a quart of oil and add a quart of MMO or some such and run it GENTLY for 50 or a hundred miles.

Then change the oil/filter and put some thinner oil in.

Next oil change you can go back to normal.

Don't pound it too hard with the lower viscosity oil in it.

Sometimes they're just gummed up.

Gord

[the chef]

Does it behave like this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3oKj-7MgUM

[Rat]

That's a typical Honda starter clutch noise.

Most of the old hondas I've had have done it once in a while.

'Specially when its cold out.

Gord

[mlmcleod]

Does it behave like this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3oKj-7MgUM

Yes, it is exactly the same except for the part where it eventually catches and starts up.

Based on the feedback I get the vast majority of the $1200 is to remove/reinstall the engine. The fact that starter clutches have been discontinued by Honda is a small issue. There are still some available on eBay. I don't have the tools, strength and place to disassemble a 144# engine.

[the chef]

Tell us more of the history of this , did it start this slowly or just all of a sudden , has it set for a while etc,etc,,,

[mlmcleod]

It was starting fine and then over a 2 month period it started grinding down and steadily got harder to start. It can be started with a push but I just don't have the oomph to get it going all the time. It would have been wonderful if they had added the kick start like the GL1000. It always started right up hot or cold.

[the chef]

I found this :



Motorcycle Repair - 1983 Honda CX 650 starter
Expert: Bill Silver - 3/17/2007

Question
The starter clutch (I'm told) is bad and needs replacing. It skips and gives a stripping or missing sound. How do I replace it? Is there an easy way to make it work?
Answer
you are in for an education. Starter clutch repairs require pulling the motor, buying a special flywheel rotor removal tool and the starter clutch springs, rollers, gaskets, oil seals, a water pump seal,etc



I have to admit parting might not be a bad Idea in this case ,,,,hope mine last awhile!!!

[the chef]

Anyway ROLL TIDE!!!

[mlmcleod]

Anyway ROLL TIDE!!!

Damn, they got our old coach! Everyone knew they were going to roll downhill after that!

[LRCXed]

The 650 starter clutches are known to go out. If you can find a starter clutch assembly from a GL500, they are a much better unit and don't have the tendency to go out. Yes, you have to pull the motor and drop the rear case. But the job is not really that difficult. The only special tool needed is a large bolt to remove the flywheel. But you can get one off ebay easy enough.
It's also a good time to replace the cam chain and guides while your in there. It's one of those things that should be done if the bike has a lot of miles on it.

[Rat]

The 650 starter clutches are known to go out. If you can find a starter clutch assembly from a GL500, they are a much better unit and don't have the tendency to go out. Yes, you have to pull the motor and drop the rear case. But the job is not really that difficult. The only special tool needed is a large bolt to remove the flywheel. But you can get one off ebay easy enough.
It's also a good time to replace the cam chain and guides while your in there. It's one of those things that should be done if the bike has a lot of miles on it.

And just think, you can pay yourself $1200.

Gord (thanks Larry) Jones

[Sagebrush]

I think before I gave up on it and parted it out I'd see if I couldn't find another CX enthusiast in your area and see if he couldn't help you with space or tools or whatever.