To people who own a XJ550...

Hi guys and girls, could you please tell me if this is common amoung your bikes. When I try and start my bike, sometime the engine will start turning, then stop, but the starter is still turning, you get a sound like a really high spin. Then, other times, you press the starter button and all you get is the high speed spin without the engine turning over.

Does this happen to you? Or is there something wrong here? Please don't tell me it's the starter clutch as all I want to do is ride my bike, and lightly, I've been putting so much work into it that I am losing my enjoyment.

 

If you shoot some liquid starter or carb cleaner in the air intake does it start well? If so, you probably need to clean the carbs

 

Oh no, starts and runs beautifully. I am just saying that sometimes when starting; the motor wont turn until a few seconds after the starter has been spinning for a few seconds.

 

Yes, this does happen with my bike as well, and judging from the other posts I've read with a similar issue, it is something quite common with the 550s. Of course, I'm just a newby, but that does seem to be the trend here.

 

Oh ok, now I feel better, as long as it does not mean something could be failing mechanically that great news!

Anyone else confirm this?

 

Oh, I didn't mean to imply there's nothing wrong. I just meant if it's a problem, it looks like it might be common.

 

Oh lol, well if everyone has the problem, then I would not really consider it to be a problem.

Well any other comments on this issue?

 

If your starter it spinning but the engine isn't turning over then something is VERY wrong. Most likely the starter clutch has worn to the point that it's not engaging the engine consistently. Eventually it'll wear to the point that it doesn't ever turn the engine over.

 

my thoughts exactly.

 

YUP, it's the starter clutch thats crapping out. Those are classic symtoms.

 

Ahh crap.

How does one go about fixing a problem like this? How do I know what part of the starter clutch it is?

 

Mine does the same thing. It usually only happens when I've held the starter button down for a few time in a row (like when it's cold and the bike doesn't fire straight up). So I'm in the same boat.