Starter kicking out

I just bought my wife a 1982 XJ750 maxim with 23,000 mile and when it is cold the start will disingage or kick out. Tap the starter button again and all is fine. It does not do it hardly any after it is warmed up. Runs prefect. I just did not know if this was and issue with the maxims or not. Dealer told me it was the starter clutch inside of engine but may last another 20,000 mile before needs to be fixed. $400 dollar job. It has new battery and clean cables. Anybody having this trouble. Thanks
Andy

 

First let me welcome you to the fold Andy. You should find loads of help here.
Second, I'm not quite following what you mean by "kicking out". Could you clarify this for me? Is it not turning over at all? Making a weird noise?
The starter in these models is linked through a one-way clutch so there is no throw-out as in say a GM unit. It is possible that the clutch is wearing out at the mileage you describe but it would indicate to me that regular maintenance has not been done.
Good idea to pull the starter and inspect the brushes as well as clean and relubricate the gears.
There is a link around here somewhere where someone (name/link escapes me at the moment) mentions that they successfully replaced the rollers and springs through the alternator shaft hole. Very difficult at best I would say with no margin for mistakes. Splitting the case is a time-intensive excersize and is best tackled with a manual and a helper. If you are mechanically inclined, this should be fairly straightforward. Personally, I think $400 is not too shabby but I don't trust anyone's work enough to let them touch my bike so I'd do it myself if you have the time. It is recommended practice to replace the starter chain tensioner at the same time. $20 in cheap insurance, they die rather easily and lock up the transmission.
Best of luck on your efforts and let us know what happens will you?

 

Andy, i don't tell too many people this but for 400$ you should be at his door in the morning
parts
at least you need 7,8 and 9 three times, if the part they fit into is cracked then you get a 6 that has 7,8,9 with it, i still have 7,8,9 because 6 came out in three pieces
i still think that was the first part of the bike and the rest was built around it
my 11 was showing signs of abuse so i don't know about 20,000 more miles
if it is the starter clutch, i did it once, and i'd spend the money

 

woops that link only half works

 

What I am talking about is the clutch gear slips sometimes. I have worked on a few bikes and I would do the work myself. I found post about repacing starter clutch though alternator hole and that sounds like it would work But, Bike has been sittng about a year and needs oil change, filter and some TLC. I started Thursday and it only slipped one time. It is much better with trickle charger on it. Then once warmed up it does not do it. So I think I am going to wait and see what it does in warmer weather and a good cleaning of starter. Does this sound like a good idea?
Great forum by the way. Thanks

 

well there are planetary gears in the starter, if they slip they would grind themselves up in short order
the starters not hard to clean up and lube, theres a few threads about that here
try some SeaFoam miracle juice in the crankcase, theres threads about that too
i tried the alternator trick for about ten minutes, then i started pulling the engine
keep us informed

 

I believe Andy_1602 is talking about the starter clutch slipping and the starter "freewheels" and the engine stops cranking at the same time.

Mine is doing the same thing and I will leave it until it decides to slip more than not.

 

Isn't this related to the "goose noise" mentioned in other posts? The explanation is that it is a temperature thing. I.e. a common problem with these bikes in the colder weather. Problem goes away in warmer season.

Same thing is happening on my bike now in the colder weather. I am waiting to see if it goes away in the summer.

 

don't wait too long, still don't know why

 

If this is a cold motor problem in cold weather. I am going to seafoam and change oil. Than wait till warm weather. I had a 1982 XV920J Virago that was much worse even after a new starter with 4 brushes in it. It was much worse than XJ750 maxim is now in 20-30 degree temps. XJ Starts great after good warm up. It has been cold in KY last 3 weeks. Thanks guys for the help!