something weird looking for explanation

so tried to start the ole 700x yesterday and after turning over 2-3 x I heard a clunk and then the starter would no longer turn over. Tried to turn it over by hand using wheel and it would not go. Tried pushing it across floor and got a skidding tire, pushed it down my sloped driveway and popped clutch and it turned over but didnt start...The the starter began working again and it ran, and once warmed up idled well and even drove well, works like a charm now....whaddya think happened?????Inquiring minds wanna know...

 

Dead mouse in the starter gear?

 

could be.....wondering if it was hydro locked on 1 cylinder? No gas in oil but trace amount in air box????

 

Make sure your crankcase isn't full of gasoline (indicating a stuck float with a petcock enabling.)

Open the filler cap and stick your nose in; have a whiff. If it smells like gas and not just toasty oil, you gots carb issues.

 

oh just drag it behind a pick up in gear. it'll free up!
yank the plugs dude...

 

Definitely check the starter, bearings, brushes. Something locked up.

 

try to put it in 1st. gear move the bike forward. put it back in neutral(all with the bike turned off)....and fire it up... see if this work...

 

there might be a chunk of primary chain guide floating around in there

 

def no gas in the oil. Im figuring something with starter and hoping like heck its not part of the primary chain, had it apart to check vlave clearances about 5 months ago and everything on top looked good. And yeah in retro spect it was not a good idea to push it down the hill but I was mad and just plain stoopid, but hey every once in a while even a blind squirrel finds a nut.

 

Ditto, pull the starter. Roc

 

Gonna pull starter this weekend thanx for all the advice..

 

the way the starter clutch is made, it or the starter can't stop the engine from turning.

 

no, but a chunk of a chain guide where it shouldn't be can.

CN

 

That's the cam chain.

The "primary" chain connects the crank to the "jackshaft" that has the alternator on one end and the starter on the other. You can't see it with the valve cover off.

It has a hard plastic, fixed guide that is known to break up when they get old, and send hunks into the transmission. Usually this will only jam up the shifter; but a big enough piece could stop the motor until it got spit out.

If you want to confirm or "debunk" this theory (or possibility) drop the sump. If the primary chain guide is disintegrating you'll immediately know it.

 

Just out of interest, do you have to split the motor to replace the guide or can it be done via the sump?

 

pretty sure you do. could someone tell us if the 700 has the middle gear drain plug, maybe if he pulls that and strains the oil he might find little pieces of chain guide. then he could be sure without too much disassembly

 

Good idea. No sense tearing into it without confirmation. But will "bits" necessarily make it all the way back into that cavity?

You have to split the cases.

 

dono, could be just one "tooth" of the guide and no bits at all.
if he runs it awhile there might be lots and lots of bits.
can you drop the pan without pulling the engine?.....i don't think so.
once the engine is out half the battle is over, split the cases

 

Diagnostics:

Drain Oil.
Examine Oil Drain Magnet for debris.
"Fish" Sump through Drain Plug hole with Flex-shaft Magnet.
Strain drained Oil.
Remove Oil Filter.
Remove both metal Filter ends.
Stretch Filter element and wipe with Magnet.

If you find anything more than "Fuzz" collected by Magnetic Probing you'll have to go looking inside.

 

changed oil, pulled the starter havnt found anything, been driving it regular for a couple of weeks with no more probs????

 

Could still be the faux-primary tensioner though :/

 

Interesting psyche. I bet pre-internet you wouldn't have been that bothered. OK it starts now, I'm happy.

Is it me or are we now much more dependanrt on getting a 'second' opinion..

JUst a thought

JS

 

In my opinion, we've become too dependent on a second opinion......... But you might want to get a second opinion......

 

You are absolutely right about the 2nd opinion thing,
not so much worried as curious as I have been running the heck out of it, at least untill todays freaking Snow....... Anyhow untill it happens again Not gonna dwell on it.. Thanks for all of the advice to everyone though, is much appreciated..BK

 

Ignorance is not always bliss.

It will work fine until another hunk big enough to cause problems breaks off the chain guide.