84 Spree Starter Trouble

[jacoby0419]

Been a while since I've been on here, but I moved to a location where I had to take 55mph+ roads to get anywhere so my poor spree sat neglected for the last 4 years in the corner of the garage...

Long story short- younger brother needs cheap transportation so I pull it back out, replace battery, drain fuel, clean carb, order air filter (still waiting on that one), but she's giving me starter problems.

It would occasionally act up when I rode it regularly, but then I would just roll it a few feet and hit the button again and it would work.

What it does now, is more often than now, when I hit the button it makes an electronic whine (not like the motor is spinning or grinding) like the motor is trying to spin but can't. Sometimes (1 in 5) it will work and turn over the engine for a couple seconds.

I pulled off the side cover, everything is in OK shape, the gear was only missing 2 teeth (not together) and the bendix seemed to be operating correctly. I cleaned it and lubed it as best I could (didn't have a strap wrench to remove large gear) and it was a little better.

What seems to be happening is that the bendix will engage, but then seize and not turn from the starter motor.

Any Ideas? I'd love to put a kick start on it, but it's hard to justify $100+ on a bike that's worth $350 on a good day.

[swimmingfree]

the bendix is not working wright....the stater is spinning but the bendix is not moving out likr it shood...
swimmingfree

[martynkim]

I agree with Mr swimming.. I have a bendix if you need one.

[jacoby0419]

That's what I was leaning towards. Should I get a replacement off of ebay?

[swimmingfree]

pull it out and by hand twist the top part back and forth and spray it with wd40 you can bring it back ... do this till you get it working free....
swimmingfree

[jacoby0419]

When I moved it by hand it wasn't seized, it was a little sticky though. I hit it with Cleaner wiggled as far out of the case as I could then lubed it up with some lithium grease.

When I started there was a good deal of gunk on it. While I'm in there I assume I should replace the belt- anyone have a Part Number on one I could pick up at a local Auto Parts Shop.

[swimmingfree]

its the inside of the bendix that matters more thats what the wd40 is for to flush out the rust and gunk out...
swimmingfree

[jacoby0419]

Thanks, I'll try it when I get home from work.

[swimmingfree]

ill bet that it wood die after a long (2 to 3 miles) time a wot you pet * is getting bad ...and when it die you wood let off the gas and it wood make more vac and put more gas in the carb and starte back up ... so its week..
swimmingfree

[jacoby0419]

ill bet that it wood die after a long (2 to 3 miles) time a wot you pet * is getting bad ...and when it die you wood let off the gas and it wood make more vac and put more gas in the carb and starte back up ... so its week..
swimmingfree

I think you replied to the wrong post...

[swimmingfree]

sorry... its a pm not a post... lol
swimmingfree

[jacoby0419]

Tried pulling it out and cleaning it this weekend (replaced the belt while in there).

It works better, but still gets stuck about half the time. I half to then walk away for a bit and if I come back it works again. I ordered a replacement bendix for now- it's still sitting idle while the weather's getting colder here...

[cmoreoke]

had trouble w my 84 spree. starter drive was coming out too far and sticking in the drive pulley teeth.
weasled the little spring clip off the starter drive shaft and stuck a hogged out 1/4" washer on the shaft
then put the spring clip back on so the starter drive could not extend quite as far out. fixed!