My 96 with 35,000+ miles is having problems starting. When the start button is depressed and the temperature is cool. Below 60 degrees F. The starter will whirrrrrr without engagingthe engine to turn over. After depressing and releasing several times it will begin to engage and the engine turns over strongly unlike some other starter problems I have read about. Once I get her started I have no problems for the rest of the day as I really do not let her cool down too much. But after putting her away in the garage and she cools down overnight the same thing happens. I bought this bike this past summer, replaced both tires; stripped all the paint ( took an incredible amount of time ) and repainted her a beautiful blue pearland black; I have not had the time to wet sand and buff and put the silver chrome OEM style decals on yet. I need to learn how to post some pics, she is very nice indeed and I want her operating perfectly.
I had some charging problems, replaced the battery, the starter relay, and cleaned all connections I could get too before that problem was solved. I also leave her plugged into a battery maintainer.Now I need to get the starter fixed and ah I think a cam chain rattle and she may be better than new, due to the fact she is now my favorite colors.
Any help with this matter will be greatly appreciated, Thanks

 

Hi there , I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along soon. Hopefully it's not the dreaded starter clutch problem[]

 

Does the starter motor have brushes ?
If so, and they're worn, this could be your problem..................
I've never stripped mine, but have had to do brushes on other starter motors.....
Check the manual.......

 

The damper is more like the warm engine problem but you can check the starter brushes as shadow said.
Its easy to open and don't take too much time. The brushes critical size you can watch out on manual - or i can watch them out in the morning i am on the mobile phone right now and don't have the manual with me[8D]

I hope it is problem with starter not with starter clutch nor damper cos those are harder to fix

 

Thanks guys. I am shutting her down for the winter as I live in connecticut so it is a good time to make repairs. I think the starter must come out to check the brushes. My manual says the carbs need to be removed first; is this really neccesary ?

 

Starter is underneath the carbs, so yes.

 

QUANTITY REF# PART #REQ YOUR PRICE
01 GEAR (17T/68T)
28101-MM5-000 001 $68.61
[hr] >
02 PIN (10X44)
28102-ME9-000 001 $6.48
[hr] >
03 PLATE
28117-MM5-000 001 $6.67
[hr] >
04 MOTOR ASSY., STARTER
31200-MW7-003 (replaces31200-MS2-673) 001 $331.08
[hr] >
04 MOTOR ASSY., STARTER
31200-MW7-003 001 $331.08
[hr] >
05 TERMINAL SET, BRUSH
31201-MR6-008 001 $13.81
[hr] >
06 BRACKET, RR.
31203-MS2-671 001 $38.36
[hr] >
07 BOLT, SETTING
31205-MR1-008 002 $3.82
[hr] >
08 HOLDER SET, BRUSH
31206-MR6-008 001 $14.53
[hr] >
09 RING
31207-KS5-901 002 $2.70
[hr] >
10 NUT-WASHER (6MM)
90071-MB0-000 002 $1.60
[hr] >
11 O-RING (24.4X3.1)
91312-MG7-003 (replaces91309-425-003) 001 $4.69
[hr] >
11 O-RING (24.4X3.1)
91312-MG7-003 001 $4.69
[hr] >
12 O-RING (7X1.7)
91312-107-000 001 $1.94
[hr] >
13 O-RING
91320-MB0-000 001 $1.90
[hr] >
14 BOLT, FLANGE (6X14)
95701-06014-00 001 $0.70
[hr] >
15 BOLT, FLANGE (6X25)
95701-06025-00 001 $0.93
[hr] >
16 BOLT, FLANGE (6X35)
95701-06035-00 001 $0.84

 

Update. I found a good priced starter on EBAY and bought it. I took it to the honda dealer to have it tested and it works fine. The unfortunate part of this is the mechanics there tell me the starter is not the problem. They are sure it is the starter clutch. I am mechanically inclined and have many tools and any time in the garage away from the ball and chain is time well spent but is this something worth doing myself ? Do I have to split the cases ?

 

No need to split the cases - send a PM to Kaska - he's done it, so has Bassman, both without splitting the casings.There's a how to from Kaska somewhere....................