Starter clutch for Honda Rebel 125

wooney · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Karma :

Couldn't start the bike the other day so took it into a garage i haven't used before.

The mechanic said instantlly it was the starter clutch and i was given a rough estimate of around £250,and maybe more if other parts need replacing.

Is this about right and is it a tough job to replace? They said they could strip it and do a diagnosis for £50?

Any thoughts especially on whether that is about right to replace it?

Thanks

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Is it the parallel twin engine, as the earlier CM125, CD125 'Benley' & CB125 Super Dream?

If so it doesn't have a starter clutch as such, it has a sprag clutch or freehwel like a bicicyle, on a chain drive between starter motor and the crank shaft.

It is an awkward one, and I dont know, £250 may not be unreasonable, becouse I dont know how much the freehweel actually is, but its not a huge job. Mag case off, slip the sprokets, pull the generator rotor, slide off the free wheel, replace, put back together. half competent mechanic with the told to remove rotor (think its just a 16mm bolt, actually!) should be able to do it in about an hour.

If its the later V twin, no idea, but would expect it to be pre engaged unit on the end of starter motor, in which case may be five minute job, and £200 replacement starter motor! Or it could be a centrifugal gear cluster in the primary drive, that may be a bit more awkward, but again, not a full strip down job.

£50 diagnostic sounds like standard rate, one hour minimum charge for having a prod and a poke.
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wooney · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Karma :

It's a 1999 model, think they stopped making them after that.

Pretty sure the mechanic is decent, was just wondering if i could get the part cheap and maybe get them to fit it if it's a fairly easy job.

Is there a possibility there could be more things wrong when he opens it up as a result of the initial problem?

Cheers for the help.

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Well, its the Benley motor.
Simple chain drive starter.
Whats it doing when its not starting, they dont tend to brake that easily. They get noisy, sometimes refuse to engage, but they dont often break up. If noisy or dont engage, spraying them with chain lube often frees them up, and they get better with use. Normally sticks on bikes that hav ebeen 'sat'.
Might be worth the £50 prod, but get a Haynes manual and an 8mm spanner its nothing you cant DIY!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

wooney · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Karma :

When it's not starting it just gives the normal chugging noise, nothing too loud. It started again after it went wrong the first time when i didn't use the bike for a few hours.

Cheers, will get the manual and have a look.

Just a though, will the bike still start if i push start it in second gear?

Not practical long term but just wondering.

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

wooney · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Karma :

Yes that's exactly what it does, i left the keys in the ignition the previous night and switched on, but as it started first time i didn't think that was a problem.

The fact it started after going wrong made me wonder. Not being an expert (can you tell Wink

) i'm just guessing the mechanic knows what he's talking about.

will check the spark plugs.

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

wooney · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Karma :

I was replying to the top line in your last post.

How is he going by my 'ambiguous' description, he was the one that diagnosed it.

I have already said that it kicks in but doesn't start. Not being an expert i can't see what other information i can provide?

Have located some spark plugs which i will try tomorrow.

Cheers for the help, much appreciated.