This type of educating video is what i'm searching for. Most XS has this problem. Most XS-riders are kicking nowadays. This is the solution. Next summer i will re-install my E-starter by fixing this
I was having the same problem and while restoring my 75 XS650 took the starter off and it was working as it should but still grinding. After watching you video I had the gained the know how to repair my grinding while starting. When I went to squeeze the starter spring I found that gear had excessive wear. I have a extra parts motor so it took 5 minutes and now I have a replacement gear. After replacing the gear and squeezing the spring the starter is working as it should. Thanks for the knowledge I enjoy all your videos
It works better, if you tighten the spring After the loop radius. Imagine a bolt or something similar, each side of the spring while in the vice, immediately in front of the bent end. Then you end up properly tightening the radius. The method shown can work, but can also lower the tension. You can also place a smaller diameter bolt in the eye of the bend to avoid breaking it
Very well done !! This information was most valuable. The instruction on installing the kick start was very much appreciated too..I'd been lost without that detail. It would be helpful to some (like Me) if you didn't speed up the clutch basket assembly. It was ok though, I'd just stop and start repeatedly so I could see clearly which part went where. Now that I've done it it'll be easy peasy next time. Thanks again !!!
put new wishbone Bendix in and it did the same bloody thing. so out she came again and all the splines and teeth look good so I sprayed silicone lube spray in it while hitting the starter and WALLAH the fucken thing sprang into gear so to speak. not to be outdid i kept trying it trying to get it to shit itself again and it never bloody did. serendipitous so trendsetters after you've watched this great video spray some spunk on it and give it a test run. worked for me and I've done quite a few starts since. nightmares over. thanks again 2 WHEEL WORKSHOP.
excellent series of videos..... .Always worth filing the clutch basket fingers whilst you had it off the engine. The ridges caused by the clutch plate tangs have left some deep grooves which will reduce smooth clutch plate separation . A dab of grease or Vasoline is great for holding shims and washers in place. I Didn't see you fit the Thrust washer on the kick start shaft before replacing the cover ?
Yep my 78 xs500 E start doesn’t work. I’m glad you touched on the kick start. That’s probably all I’m going to be doing for a while anyways. Great video man!
I have a 1974 TX500 that I have a similar noise…I would like to send you a video of what I have and let you help me diagnose the issue…let me know if your willing…love your videos…I have done a lot of the things that you have done in my build…Thanks Blake
Hi Blake. The tx500 and xs650 are entirely different engines. The 500 has a chain driven starter clutch but I have never worked on one. If you want you can send the video to the email listed on my channel but I don't know how much help I will be. I found this thread in a forum that may help. www.classic-motor.bike/viewtopic.php?t=357
Thanks for the video - not sure if this is going to fix my starting issue or not, but I'll give it a shot. My knowledge is pretty low here and I am learning as I go, so I have a couple questions 1) Is this more or less a onetime fix, or something you need to do occasionally? Wouldn't mind doing it once or twice, but if I have to do it every season or something I may as well just keep kicking. 2) When you press the starter after reassembling, why doesn't the bike start? I'm assuming it has to do with the clutch being removed or something, but don't know why. 3) On that note, is it safe to be hitting the start button like this after you've drained the oil? Something you can do once or twice to test but no more, or is it fine seeing as the bike isn't actually starting?
This is a really crappy design from the Yamaha engineers. I replaced my friction spring and gear with one from Mike's XS, it was supposed to be heavier duty. It worked the first few times and started doing the same thing again. Now I am back to kick starting it. Really poor design! The charging systems, wiring, and fuse box are also weak on these bikes, however I still love riding them (I have 3 of them).
one my 650,s growl like this one the other the starter has issues do u do a video on removal of the starter for overhaul? cheers,Al, good to hear aussie accent
all good i have done that but must have moved the kicker shaft after replaced the worn gear (starter works now) and the cover wont fit snug at kicker end
You have to set the spring and rotate the shaft while pushing it in and it will drop into place. I demo it one of my videos in the engine rebuild series.
@@2wheelworkshop thanks brodie i now have a xs650 that will start with electric start yahoo cheers, Al,, (the cog was very badly worn worse than expected)
@@2wheelworkshop If I could send pictures I will send you a screenshot of the Bolton. The bulletin shows the new position, again, to the right of where you have it. The reason being is because the new clip is a lot thicker and it will not fit in the saddle that you have it in even if you squeeze the clip. Go on 650.com and click or search for starter issue and they were like eight pages that talk all about it.
The original place for it was in the casting slot specially provided for it. Later Yamaha upgraded the design to a thicker spring and advised it wouldn’t fit in there anymore. Hence the new location. Top and bottom of it … it doesn’t matter.
I don't think I've EVER seen a motorcycle mechanic remove a drain plug with an adjustable cresent wrench....same with not using a snap ring pliers, then keep turning the engine over with the electric starter with no engine oil in it , 2 week's after putting the spring in the vise and squeezing the shit out of it it's going to break then hey , let's repair it properly with a New spring 😢 the morel is the story is don't make videos showing people how to be a Hack😢
Much as I love these things, that is the most idiotic starter mechanism of all time. Before I owned an XS, I had a Honda CB-750 and the starter mechanism in that was infinitely superior. The CB and XS came out in the same year and Yamaha didn't think to fit an electric starter. They did with the third model but there was nowhere to put it so they reduced the volume of the trans and put it there. That's all fine and dandy but why not copy Honda's engagement mechanism?
