I had been hearing some noises when starting my "88 Vmax for the last year, that I didn't like the sound of. I had asked my dealer mechanic if he thought it needed work when he installed new tires last Fall, and he said that was pretty much normal and to keep riding.
Last evening, I tried starting it after a weekend of too much rain to ride, and I heard the sick sound of starter spinning, but not engaging but for a second. I did get it to start a couple of times, and should have loaded it on the trailer right then, but the optimist in me hoped it was just being a little contrary. So I hooked up the tickle charger, and said a little prayer that the battery was just weak.
This morning, still no hook up of the starter clutch.
After reading the how-tos and watching a couple of U-Tube videos, I don't think I'm enough of a mechanic to remove/repair the clutch myself. I see me getting to the part where the flywheel pulls off and having a disaster.
I'm the kind of guy that found the spring and washer in the oil catch pan after the last oil change.
I talked to a couple of cycle buddy/co-workers who work on their own bikes, to invite them over for a good time, and they informed me they weren't THAT good of buddys! They both have been through removing stuck flywheels on this kind of starter system.
So I invited them to help me push it onto my trailer next weekend, for a trip to the Dr's office. Luckily, I have another bike to ride to work until I can get Vera back on the road. Oh, the joys of a 25 year old motorcycle!
Last evening, I tried starting it after a weekend of too much rain to ride, and I heard the sick sound of starter spinning, but not engaging but for a second. I did get it to start a couple of times, and should have loaded it on the trailer right then, but the optimist in me hoped it was just being a little contrary. So I hooked up the tickle charger, and said a little prayer that the battery was just weak.
This morning, still no hook up of the starter clutch.
After reading the how-tos and watching a couple of U-Tube videos, I don't think I'm enough of a mechanic to remove/repair the clutch myself. I see me getting to the part where the flywheel pulls off and having a disaster.
I'm the kind of guy that found the spring and washer in the oil catch pan after the last oil change.
I talked to a couple of cycle buddy/co-workers who work on their own bikes, to invite them over for a good time, and they informed me they weren't THAT good of buddys! They both have been through removing stuck flywheels on this kind of starter system.
So I invited them to help me push it onto my trailer next weekend, for a trip to the Dr's office. Luckily, I have another bike to ride to work until I can get Vera back on the road. Oh, the joys of a 25 year old motorcycle!