I just bought a V-Star 1100 & when you shut it off it makes a clunking noise sometimes. Sounds like it is coming from the starter. It has made this noise since I bought it last October & I just replaced the starter 2 weeks ago. Is this normal for this bike or do I have more serious issues about to develope.:(

If you're only getting a clunk when you shut it off, and it's occasional, that's pretty normal. Ours does it sometimes too. The clunk to worry about is when starting it; you may need to adjust the TPS (throttle position sensor). This is an excellent tutorial on it from the KB:

http://www.sloneservices.com/SilverBack/Other-Stuff/TPS-Test-Adjust.pdf

Thanks DonDar, It is only every now & then that it does it, starts fine just didn't know if it was a normal thing for the V-star or maybe a future bigger problem that I nedded to get checked out, Knees to the breeze!! Thanks!!

I've never experienced this "clunk" noise from the starter yet. I guess it might be the starter's clutch???

It's characteristic of both the 650 and 1100 V-twins. It's just the starter clutch mechanical release mechanism reversing its spring loaded position after the rotating inertia mass is stopped. Absolutely nothing to worry about.

Thanks Guys, I thought it might be something like a starter clutch but wasn't sure. This is my 1st Yamaha street bike & I wasn't sure of some of the little quirks about it. Thanks again, Scotty

does it sound like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRnzmess61k

Yep, Thats it!:eek:

Yep, Thats it!:eek:

so when you replaced the starter, i assume you used the "upgraded" version?

5EL 81890-01 (old one was 5EL 81890-00)

i put in the new "improved" starter and also replaced the one-way starter clutch as i'd assumed it would be worn from all this grinding on engine shutdown, but i couldnt see any difference between the one i took out and the new one.
i still have this noise after, but not as bad, and not as often.
the noise was there when i bought it at 3229 miles and i replaced the starter stuff at 7822 miles, as i started getting a violent single whacking sound when i tried to start it. so now i'm at 27k and it hasnt got any worse touch wood, just have that noise.
obviously you shouldnt touch the throttle when starting, and unless it gets worse or another issue develops you may get away with it for at least 20k miles like i am

I bought one from a motorcycle recycling yard that came off a 2006 V-Star with under 4000 miles on it after seeing what a new one cost from the dealer. Gave 85 bucks for it & it works perfectly & the clunking isn't as bad or as often. Mine is a 2004. Of course after I bought it I found a bunch of new ones that were Hi-Torque starters with a 2 year warranty for 149.00. Local dealer wanted a little over 400.00 for one.:eek: Thanks for the video! Keep the rubber side down!

i got one off ebay for like 112 and it cranks up very well now. Don't think my clunk is loud anymore if it is still there, i don't listen for it

If you're only getting a clunk when you shut it off, and it's occasional, that's pretty normal. Ours does it sometimes too. The clunk to worry about is when starting it; you may need to adjust the TPS (throttle position sensor). This is an excellent tutorial on it from the KB:

http://www.sloneservices.com/SilverBack/Other-Stuff/TPS-Test-Adjust.pdf

oh man!! mine does the starting one. Thanks for that link. I'll try adjusting the TPS.

Hi guys!
Have the same clunk noise problem just a LOT worse.
Bought the bike few months ago. The clunk noise was there and it's gradually getting worse...
XPHch50rP88
Yesterday it took me ~5min too start the bike at a gas station. Starter didn't start the engine just like in the video at 00:33-00:37.
On top of that engine light lights up from time to time...

Is there any point in adjusting the TPS? Or should i take the bike to professionals for repairs?

Your particular problem has nothing to do with the TPS unless someone has tampered with the factory adjustment. Your video sounds much more like a worn or damaged starter clutch. Unless you are capable of disassembling and checking it yourself I suggest you take it to a Yamaha dealer. They can access the latest factory parts and repair bulletins. They've had their fare share of clutch starter failures and have superseded parts to update them.
But before you do anything make sure your battery is in a full state of charge and your charging system is charging the battery. You can check with a voltmeter across the terminals by running the engine at about 3000 rpm to confirm you are getting between 14.2-14.6 volts.
How many miles and what year model do you have?

It's a 2006 V-Star 1100 Classic with almost 16k miles on the odometer.
I enjoy working on my bike but after reading some of the Starter & Starter Clutch repair instructions i'll probably give it to Yamaha dealer. Just too damn complicated for me :confused:
The battery charged and system is charging as should.
Thanks for the tips. I'll probably be driving it to Yamaha today after work.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but do i need to drain oil before removing starter from the crankcase?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but do i need to drain oil before removing starter from the crankcase?

Not if your just changing the starter, I changed mine in about 10 minutes. Now if your changing the starter clutch assembly, I don't know, Haven't had to change one of those yet.

After talking to the Yamaha dealer i've decided to double check since the cost is a little high :)
Checked TPS adjustments - everything is OK.
Checked starter bolts - not twisted.
Recharged the battery again.
Connected voltmeter across the terminals: battery is charging 14.0 volts when idle - seems ok.
However i've noticed today that sometimes (1 out of 5 times) when cranking voltmeter shows ~8 volts. In that case loud clunk is heard, engine doesn't start and check engine light goes off.
4 out of 5 times voltmeter shows >10 volts and engine starts without any cluncks.

Could there be energy leak somewhere?

dude i had the exact same problem. the clutch grind on shutdown and then later i started to get the whack on startup too. this was an 02 1100 at about 7k miles.

i updated the starter motor and replaced the starter "sprag" clutch (and yes you do have to drain the oil for the sprag clutch change.... and take off the flywheel... need some special enough tools for that.. labour charge will be bad if you dont do it yourself) but still got the grind noise on shutdown, though not as often or anywhere near as bad. the whacking was gone forever though!
i probably should have replaced the part the sprag clutch grips onto aswell.

anyway it started perfect for me several times a day for nearly 2 years / 21000 miles after that, as i sold it this year.

some threads may be of interest -
http://www.starbikeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946


edit: for the interim it may interest you that while waiting for my new sprag clutch, i minimized my "whacking" and got the bike started by putting it in 1st (engine off), let out the clutch lever and gently but firmly push bike back.... this engages the starter clutch sprags (my conclusion on what the whack was, was the sprags not engaging *starter spins* and then suddenly they engage and *whack*)
then push a little further and you hear the starter motor being reversed a little.
then you can put it back into neutral and start *dont use throttle when starting!*