Starter problem?

First off I have a 1982 XJ750 Maxim. I have been trying to get it running and one thing is now in my way. When I press the start button the engine turns over a couple times and then you just hear a whirrrring noise until I let go of the starter button.

Video!

I took the starter off and apart to see if there was any issues. The gears themselves look good and here is a picture of the electrical end:


Starter by IAmMoen, on Flickr

The only thing is after reading a dozen posts about starter issues I am starting to think that maybe it isn't for sure my problem. Could it be gears in the engine case that disengage from each other instead? Anyone see/hear that problem before?

 

its a common issue. I had it when I bought my bike and the PO told me it wouldn't start. I did an oil change and got Castrol GTX and now it starts fine. Do some research on here about which weight to use.

 

To be a little more clear, this is the starter clutch letting go. If it's really worn out, you're out of luck and will be looking at splitting the case to replace it, but, in most cases, it's oil related.

I was running Castrol GTX 20W50, which was fine for the clutch, but I switched to Amsoil since I wanted better high temp oil life. The Amsoil does make for better shifting, and is supposed to be much better able to stand up to the heat of an air cooled engine in summer, but the starter clutch definitely doesn't like it as much. My clutch never used to lose it's grip; now it often does, especially if the battery is a bit weak.

So probably, hopefully, an oil change and maybe a battery charge, will "fix" it.

 

I just put in some new oil today I'll have to check the brand but it is 10w40 oil that is supposed to be wet clutch compatible. I'm going to be very very sad if it means I need to split the case because I don't have a garage at all and a fix of that magnitude will mean the bike will have to go

Oh and does anyone have a picture tutorial on how the starter is supposed to get put back together?

 

Alright. I went out and took a peek at what oil I put in the bike. It is "Amsoil synthetic motorcycle oil. 10w-40. High Performance engine & transmission lubricant." Thats what it says on the front. In the fine print on the back it says it is wet clutch compatible.

Did I make a mistake here? I went to a motorcycle shop to find this stuff even. What do you guys use and is there a big store i.e. Napa, Walmart, or some place to get some of it?

 

As I mentioned before, I saw the same behavior after switching to Amsoil. (I'm probably using exactly the same Amsoil that your are.) I've been just dealing with it, as my bike starts easily enough that the weak starter clutch is not really a problem, but I know I didn't see that kind of behavior with the Castrol GTX 20W50.

Shell Rotella T is another popular oil here - not sure what weight.

Both are available at pretty much any auto parts store.

The down side is that you now have about $40 worth of Amsoil in your engine that you might have to discard.