Just bought a Virago 535 trike, needs TLC. It wouldn't start charged battery, when trying to start was cranking it over and sometimes it would CLUNK and stop, did that a few times but now it just spins, not engaging. Have taken cover off, the drive cogs appear to be ok, stator has filings all over it. How can I clean stator and what with?
I am thinking that perhaps I need a starter clutch repair kit? Have just ordered a new regulator.
Take the starter motor and clutch apart first, those bits of metal came from somewhere. It may be a whole unit you need ( ebay) but don't buy anything until you have stripped and found what is wrong. You will also need to check if the filings can get into the crankcase, if it is at all possible it is a whole engine dismantle and clean. Metal filings will scrap an engine in minutes.
Thanks for that. I have a good mate local, rebuilt his Kawasaki 900 but he hasn't had the opportunity to call round and see the pile of shit I just bought!!
Not necessarily a pile of shit. If you have a garage it could be a winter project which will be a great source of pride next summer, an excuse to learn what makes a bike come to life, an adventure into the world of motorcycle mechanics (fascinating subject) or just an engine that needs a damn good clean and bringing up to original spec. Whatever, do the work and have something personal at the end of it and not just another bike.
Yeh, was half joking re pile of shit! Unfortunately don't have a garage anymore but have been enjoying tidying it up - wire wool and vinegar is great for getting rust off the chrome! Parts on order and a mate is going to loan me a puller to get the rotor off. He also advised petrol to rinse off the filings from the stator, seems right to me.
Did you find out where the metal filings came from ?
Check the main bearings on both ends of the crank
There may be signs of the alternator rotor & stator making contact
Those metal particles have come from somwhere in that casing
Fitting replacements wouldn't cure the problem
Hope it's not that bad
Let us know how it turns out
Mate of mine who rebuilt his Kawasaki 900 called in yesterday, had a look, what I thought were filings turned out to be bits of old gasket crud, I think! Cogs look to be ok......hoping that the clutch repair kit will do the job. We checked out haynes manual together and agreed that was the problem.....fingers crossed!
I know this is a bit old but only just see it
I have the one before the XV750SE and I have worked on them in my days of a mechanic <?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
There’s a tension spring that fits around the dog gear and the top end fits into the casing the idea is the tension of this foresees the dog gear into the gear behind the clutch <o:p></o:p>
I must say at this point the noise when you press the starter button is horrible it sound like the thing wants to jump out of the casing that is normal <o:p></o:p>
Now a battery that isn’t in good condition it won’t engage properly<o:p></o:p>
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Getting back to the tension spring if you take it off the gear and squeeze the loop end in the vice just a little bit DON’T GO MAD you can break it, It is spring steel<o:p></o:p>
It will put more tension on the gear when fitted <o:p></o:p>
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And that should solve your problem
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![Virago 535 1991 - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8mobileLQ.jpg)
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