Starter gear

[saabfxr]

Well a bud had the hydrolock and tried to start it ,he has no clue about mech stuff. Yes it broke a tooth  from the idler gear only 1. the bike runs ok. I haven't started it yet, just pulled the starter to look. I know it needs the engine pulled to replace the gear, question is will IF he wants to ride it will the gear hold up till fall or is this a fix it now thing. I will crank it today to hear the noise it makes, it does fire up quick so crank time isn't high.  I can just see the bill the dealer will charge for this... got to be at least 12-1500.00 I feel. Thanks guys. Doug.

[Patrick]

I'm not quite sure how to answer your question. I guess the only thing to do is to try it and see what happens. If at any time it doesn't start, just push start it. You are right about the cost of repairs, it'll be expensive.

[Rio Wil]

I suspect the more it is started with the broken tooth, the greater the risk of breaking adjacent teeth....I would either push start as Patrick said or park it downhill and do a rolling start.

[Ricky-D]

There is still possible damage inside the motor.

Continued starting can cause additional damage.

***

[Thunderbolt]

Might not be a good idea to run it until you perform a tooth extraction.    Just in case it lodged in a vital place like an oil pickup or some other tight clearance location.

[Patrick]

You know what ? I'd say that the boys are right. After some reflection, it may not be such a good idea to run it until that tooth is found and removed. It may be worth a try to get it out.

[1500Rider]

Ran my Valk for awhile with this problem only because I didn't know what it was. Once I discovered it was a missing tooth due to hydrolock (previous owner) I decided it was better to be safe than sorry. Found the missing took at the bottom of the rear case, lodged under a chain guard. It probably would have stayed there but who knows. Glad I decided to fix it – at the very least the chatter when starting the bike is gone.

[saabfxr]

 Yes the missing tooth might/will cause a big issue if it got some place.  I don't like the idea of running it, and I don't like the idea of ripping it apart either.lol. lots of work and down time on my lift. Oil changes and tires are one thing, engine out and apart... got to think about this.. Thanks Guys as always this is the place to ask! Doug.

[Robert]

In your reflections the only time the starter gear is used is when you start the engine there is a one way gear that allows the starter to stop turning when the engine is started and its after the starter gear. So there is no movement in that gear after start. Its not the starter that freewheels. While I agree the one tooth that fell into the crankcase may someday be a problem it has not been one yet.

[pancho]

Yeah,, it's a big job,, but I suspect the biggest part is getting started..... Once the bike is lifted off the motor you will be well on your way.
I can only speak to what I would do.....  I might give it a last ride, but I would take it apart and fix it........  can't go wrong that way.

[saabfxr]

I got some help so it wont be too bad,just a lot of work. All that work for a 25 dollar gear... petcock isn't cheap 140!!  glad I don't need this on my Valk..

[shortleg]

  Let me know where you are and maybe I can give you some help
    Would love to learn a thing or two.
          Shortleg[Dave]

[saabfxr]

Well its done. back on the road. Did a set of 440's while it was apart. The biggest problem is getting a 46mm deep socket!   There are a lot of bolts and because it was apart for a few weeks I had to bang my head a few time to remember were they went, No left over bolts.. The local dealer wouldn't touch it till fall they said.... and it would have been @1200 labor to boot.  I would say the airbox was one of the biggest pia to r&r....  Valk back in the wind.

[HayHauler]

I agree.  I am no fan of the air box r & r. 
Hay
Jimmyt

[Thunderbolt]

Glad you got it done.