Starter removal

[1500Rider]

Been trying to remove the starter to check on the internal gears (get a quick rattle when starting the bike that only lasts for a second or two). Want to make sure the gears don't have a missing tooth. Haven't had hydrolock myself but not sure if the previous owner did.

Anyway, I've got the bolts removed and the starter pulled back but can't get it back far enough to completely remove it. Is there any trick to this or can it only be done if the engine is removed?

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[1500Rider]

Damn, couldn't get the starter completely out but did manage to get a look at the gears inside. Sure enough, one is missing a tooth – the same gear thats shown in this post http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,50533.0.html.

Guess I'm looking at pulling the engine on order to fix this. Not sure how to do that or where to start. Will have to do some more investigating. I'm fairly handy at wrenching but this procedure scares the hell out of me.

Was looking at hdlparts.com for the new gear I need but couldn't find it. Anybody know which section it's in?

Thanks.

[Bone]

I haven't pulled one copied this from the manual.

From the Valkyrie service manual;

Disconnect the starter motor cable.
Remove the three motor mounting bolts.
Pull out the starter motor rearward and remove it from the
crankcase, being careful not to damage the wire harness.
Remove the O-ring from the starter motor.

[Chrisj CMA]

http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=2552086&category=Motorcycles&make=Honda&year=1997&fveh=132664

this is under Primary Drive Gear on the HDL site

[1500Rider]

No. 16 looks like the right gear – thanks Chris. Still haven't got the starter completely out but have it pulled back enough to get a good look inside the rear case. Unfortunately, the manual, which I have, doesn't give any description about how to twist and turn the starter to get it around the frame. Sure I can eventually get it but, for now, I've discovered the source of the rattle I was getting at start-up. I don't think it will harm anything to run it over the summer like this (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) and save the engine removal for the winter. Sure with there was a way to replace this one little gear without going through the whole process of dropping the engine.

[Michvalk]

Quite a few folks have repaired their hydrolock damage and posted pictures and procedure for doing it. Search box at the top of the opening page for the tech board. I have never had to do this, thank goodness, but really doesn't look like you have to pull the motor to do it. Don't know if riding the bike will hurt it any more or not. Good luck with the repair

[jimmytee]

If you're able to start it reliably, don't think that in itself will pose a problem. However, where is the missing tooth/metal?
That would be my concern.

[fudgie]

Mine came out easy, hard part was getting it out thru all the wiring.

[John Schmidt]

If only a tooth is missing on one gear, consider yourself fortunate. It also will often break off a piece of the rear engine cover, making it much more costly. If you would post your location in your profile, there most likely is someone nearby that can lend a hand in removing/replacing the engine. If you get all the parts together first, gears....gaskets, etc., you can actually do it over a long weekend with help.

[1500Rider]

Anybody know of a good source for buying Honda tools? Looks like there's a few I need to do this repair. Checked at www.hdlparts.com but they don't have any of the parts in stock.

Any suggestions? Alternate tools?

[pancho]

If you remove the four mounting bolts for the battery box,, two into the rear fender, and two top front into tabs on the frame, the battery box will move back enough to wiggle the starter out,, tight fit.

[hubcapsc]

Anybody know of a good source for buying Honda tools? Looks like there's a few I need to do this repair. Checked at www.hdlparts.com but they don't have any of the parts in stock.

Any suggestions? Alternate tools?

Google the tool's part number... I ordered an array of tools from
several places that way, always worked out, sometimes takes
a long time (several weeks)... sometimes google will lead you to
a marine place, apparently Honda boat motors and stuff have
similar framistats inside them as Honda motorcycles...

I think the starter is hard to take out and replace, but
you don't have to cut off any of the frame ...

-Mike

[larryh0841]

The manual says that you have to remove the starter to remove the motor so I did that when swapping motors.  I could not get the starter to slide to the rear far enough to clear the motor for removal so I seperated the starter motor from the gear reduction housing.  I was then able to get the starter out in two pieces.  When I put the "new" motor back in the bike I was able to reassemble the starter in location.  This was on an Interstate. 

[1500Rider]

Thanks for the input everyone. Managed to get the starter out with some patient wiggling. As difficult as that was, getting the alternator out was even more fun. Sure putting them back will be even more enjoyable!

[gordonv]

As suggested, look up search.

I believe others have posted that it can all be done within the bike, but it's tough, I feel taking the motor out and having good access will actually be quicker.

You mentioned order tools, what kind?

I believe you have to take the whole rear case off, so you need the 2 sockets, 36 & 42 mm, to remove the clutch basket. If you have to remove the output shaft, that is a 46 mm.

I posted a while ago about a place to buy them from.

[Bigun]

Damn, couldn't get the starter completely out but did manage to get a look at the gears inside. Sure enough, one is missing a tooth – the same gear thats shown in this post http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,50533.0.html.

Guess I'm looking at pulling the engine on order to fix this. Not sure how to do that or where to start. Will have to do some more investigating. I'm fairly handy at wrenching but this procedure scares the hell out of me.

Was looking at hdlparts.com for the new gear I need but couldn't find it. Anybody know which section it's in?

Thanks.

  If its just the starter gear and not the reduction gear I have a new one.

[1500Rider]

Ordered the gear and associated parts like gaskets ect. from HDL and have the tools on order from Bike Bandit. Hopefully they'll arrive soon. In the meantime I'm going to start prepping the bike. Will probably drop the engine right out to make the job a little easier.

Thanks for all the help and responses.

[Ricky-D]

In all your work to make things right, don't forget to fish the gear tooth out from the motor.

***

[gordonv]

He should find it in the rear case.

There was a plastic screen to strain the oil on the way back into the engine case.