Starter clutch problem/ Honda Nighthawk 750

 Hello, I have recently taken my Honda Nighthawk 750 out of storage
after it sat for a couple of years. I did all the recommend things
before putting it away so I was hoping for a relatively easy start.
However, I find that my starter motor just spins away without even
turning the engine over.

I took out the starter motor; the pinion gear looks fine. I know the
engine is not seized because I can get it to turn over (but not start)
by rolling the bike and popping the clutch. So I think I must have a
starter clutch that is slipping.

So, question A: why would the starter clutch start acting like this
after sitting for a couple years?  It was working fine before I put
the bike away. Question B: how difficult is it to get at and replace?
My clymer manual is not so clear, but it looks like I would have to
practically take the whole engine apart!

please help if you can and thanks in advance.

Andy

 
It would be nice if you'd mention what year your Nighthawk is.

I looked at the 1982/1983 models. Fixing the starter clutch would be a
piece of cake on those models.

But the 1991 and on Nighthawks have a nightmare starter clutch on a
jackshaft that drives the crankshaft via a chain.

 

Bad Bike Pixies.


On the DOHC 16v 750, the one wih hydraulic tappets, you do. It's a
common fault on these lumps and a right PITA.


--
BMW K1100LT  750SS  CB400F  CD250  SL125
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3
BOF#30 WUSS#5  The bells, the bells.....

 

Find a breaker and buy a complete engine. There are loads of Nighthawks
out there.

Do an engine swap. A decent used lump can't be more than a very few
hundred dollars, and you could easily spend that on gaskets, fluids and
a few special tools.

It sounds silly, just for a small fault, it's probably the easiest
solution.


--
BMW K1100LT  750SS  CB400F  CD250  SL125
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3
BOF#30 WUSS#5  The bells, the bells.....