Mabye it is the clutch causing the problem, but if the lever is not pulling correctly, see here-  https://www.tr1.de/pages/technics_manual.php?iQuery=key=xv1000&lng=eng&flg=0&pge=0008   - you will have a similar issue. Remove the small lever-cover, push the lever manually as far as it is possible , using a screw-driver or a bolt.  If there is no success, remove  the left engine-cover and look for wear to the clutch and the gears,
regards Ali

Hello

Check what Ali said first.

It sounds as if the clutch is engaging and the starter is spinning. Have you had the side cover off yet. I came across an incident recently with a TR1 with no intermediate gears fitted, So remove the side cover and check if the gears are there!!

The planetary gear can also spin within the starter motor itself. It normally allows a little engagement of the starter mech so it sounds like you would have extreme wear to allow that.

I would you remove the nearside covers and check all the mech is there and functioning.

Are you based in the UK? if so where?

Best of luck.
Kevin (UK)

First: Ali, I tried to push the lever all the way in. Ignition was off, and the starter was spinning for a second one time. I also tried to start it while the lever was pushed all the way in, but no difference.

Kevin: I am in Norway.. It has gone from working just fine to doing as in the video in a few days with (stupid me..) a lot of work for the starter, trying to start with the gas crane in On-position, when it should have been on Res...
I have removed the engine oil, and will check behind the engine cover tomorrow if I can find the time.

Earlier I did remove the starter, and looked at what I believe must be what you are referring to as planetary gear, after googling it.. Now I only remember that I pulled out the gears and looked at them, they looked okay, and I inserted them back in. I believe it was possible to rotate them manually, but I am not sure.

I will anyway try to look for wear on the clutch, and see if I can get closer to a solution. Will update when done.

Thanks to you both. I havent done any mechanics for 25+ years, and then it was only on my Yamaha DT50, inserting a big(ger..) bore kit, going from 2.5 hp to 7.5 hp, which was fun enough, and some other minor stuff, so my knowledge and skills are on a very low level, and I am grateful for your patience.

I'll buy the plane tickets for Norway, and pick you up in the airport!

Better see if I can fix it myself first.. I removed the starter again, and as you can see in the new video, the outer weel does spin around, and it is also possible to pull out and remove.. I'll try to fix it so it doesnt rotate.

https://youtu.be/mW6erdEHM7Y

Thanks again, Kevin!

Br
Roger

Hello Roger

I can see the problem in the video. You zoomed in on the outer ring and the planetary gears. You then placed your finger on the outer ring and rotated it. That is your problem. The outer ring should not rotate. It is a press fit and should be tight.

You can either remove the assembly and replace it. Or you can remove it and spot weld the outer ring into the starter casing. Or, without removing it you can drill a hole through the side of the casing and into the outer ring. Then tap it and fit a screw.

Best of luck.

Kevin

Hey Roger, because of the location of the pieces they will get quite hot so any loctite/industrial glue will definitely have to be high temp resistant..

Hey Kevin you sound like you have a bit of experience with messing around with the starter ( or is it gathered knowledge from here and vtf? ) I am trying to work out which part would originally have held the outer ring. it was a press fit from factory but does the starter motor casing contribute anything to the fit? Is there a slight taper in the casing or was it just held by it's own outer casing? If so what does the shimming help?

I have one burned out starter from the Flying Anvil and one spinning one originally on the parts bike, only had the burned out one apart and I seem to remember shims in that one, just wondering if it would be worth putting them in the spinning one or should I try and hold the planetary in some other fashion..?

Cheers,

Rant.

Nice one, Ali. As Kevin says, this must be my problem, and as we agree on; there must have been something holding this in place from the beginning. I am tempted to try this before drilling or welding, so I will see if I can get ahold of the part. Thanks for the input on glue/locktite, rant! Will keep ypu posted!

Don't leave us hanging here, have you the ebay link for the part?

All

I have had this happen in two bikes I have owned. So it'd down to painful experience.

The outer ring was originally push fit into the starter housing. It is an interference fit so it was just pushed in. Glue is not an answer. I have known of people, through this forum, who have tack welded it. On two occasions I have drilled through the outer casing and into the ring and fitted a screw or small bolt. This has worked for many thousands of miles and is still holding strong. I think that is the cheapest and simplest solution.

You may wish to change the starter motor. If you do decide to change the starter motor buy the XV1100 starter motor. This is a four pole motor as opposed to the TR1 two pole motor. It is a much better solution and improves the bike starting. You will have to fit a slightly longer power cable to the motor but apart from that it is a direct replacement.

I checked on eBay and there are lots on sale. This is from a UK site: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XV-1100-Virago-cast-wheel-1991-Arrowhead-Starter-Motor-/302021002759?hash=item4651dac607:g:BUkAAOSwtnpXkgsH

All the  best with the repair.

Kevin

I bet 5 Euro on the starter clutch.

I increase my bet to 10 EUR. ,-)

You have to remove the left engine cover, then you can reach the starter clutch. Replace it or open the tin housing and replace the rollers within it. You can also weld it together.

The problem is, that the clutch maybe only slips under load. If you turn it by hand it seems to work, you can turn it into one direction but not into the other.