Starter "clunking"

[The Disapproving Brit]

I gave the bike an oil/filter change at the weekend. The last couple of days, when I've started it in the morning, the starter has made a loud "clunk" sound, then stopped. If I try again immediately nothing happens except the lights dim, but give it 15 seconds or so and it starts fine.

Did I cock up an oil change and leave my engine on the verge of siezing?
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[sickpup]

[Efes123]

^ this, sounds like the starter motor sticking. Whip it out and give it a test
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Honda Goldwing GL 1000 Current love
Honda VT500 ED - SOLD
Projects Suzuki GS125 Done, then stolen - Kawasaki GPX750R SOLD - Honda VF750S SOLD

[Nemo]

+1 to the above, check voltage of battery while trying to start, check earth points as well, and clean the battery terminals.
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Previously owned: Kawasaki KH125, Suzuki GP125, Suzuki GX 125, Honda CB125 TDC '83, Honda ntv 600, Kawasaki ER5, Kawasaki ZZR600, Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille
Now own: Ducati 848 evo

[clancy]

Starter motors probably on the way out. You can get rebuild kits to refurb them or just replace it when it goes

Least if it goes you can still start the bike so don't need to panic about getting stuck somewhere
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KLX 300r

[The Disapproving Brit]

Thanks guys. To follow up on this, I had a trouble free 100 mile rideout yesterday. This morning, after the initial clunking (which sounds very much like a heavy impact of some kind) the engine started, but immediately started making a very unpleasant knocking sound. After a little experimentation, this sound only occurs when the bike is leaning to the left (on the side stand). Upright, it sounds fine. The knocking sound increases with the revs, and sounds like hitting the engine casing with a hammer.

I’m pretty sure that’s a sign that something is loose that really shouldn’t be. Any suggestions as to where to start?

Thanks
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[Vincent]

Starter Clutch?
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Space Is Deep

[The Disapproving Brit]

[Vincent]

I havn't had a look at one from a VF 400 but I've done other Honda sprag clutches and found them relatively easy. Bit late now but it's best to stop using them once they start to make a noise as continuous use can make things a bit worse.
If I could get hold of a manual, I'd have a better idea.
Quite a few Hondas of this time have kits of better quality to replace the original parts.
I wouldn't slash yer wrists yet, could be quite an easy fix. I'll see if I can find a blow up pic of one, see what it looks like, in the meantime, someone else may know more than me how easy they are to replace and what damage they can cause on the VF400 particularly.
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Space Is Deep

[The Disapproving Brit]

You mean this? (links to relevant manual chapter)
https://i.imgur.com/7LK3exn.gif

Having figured out that the starter is at the front of the engine, rather than at the back where it was on my 125, it looks like I can leave all those scary looking gears in the middle well alone, which makes the whole thing a lot less intimidating. Good weather permitting, I'll take a look this week. It looks a smaller job than I originally feared, so hopefully it's not going to be ridiculously expensive even if I need to take it in to be done.
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[Vincent]

'Doesn't look too difficult from the diagram. If yours is completely wrecked, it may me a good idea to get a used unit and fit one of the mod kits to it........if you can find a used one that is, there can't be too many second hand spares around for these bikes now.
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Space Is Deep

[The Disapproving Brit]

Thanks. Agreed, getting hold of parts is the fun bit, but there always seems to be one being stripped and sold on eBay, so I might get lucky.
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[The Disapproving Brit]

well, had it in bits today. Less intimidating than I expected, but I couldn't see anything obviously loose or mashed, which means it's likely to be beyond my expertise for a DIY job. So it's a book in, bend over and lube up job.
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[Vincent]

No marks on the teeth of the sprag clutch? May not be much visible if this is the problem and it's only just started.
I'm not sure how they fail, I'd guess that the gear disengages before it should and tries to re-engage while the crank is still spinning.
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Space Is Deep