Starter or Engine Damage?

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Solina Dave
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Starter or Engine Damage?

#1

Post by Solina Dave »

I have a '78 GL1000, and I'm not too well versed in the operation of an over-running clutch. I do however have a question that I believe is related to that design feature.
I want to be able to flash my headlight at oncoming traffic, while the bike is in motion, and also when the bike is stopped. With the bike in motion the clutch is obviously engaged, and the clutch lever is "out". The clutch lever switch is "open". If I depress the starter switch, the starter shouldn't spin. But will the headlight still go out?
And also, if I were stopped at a stop sign for instance, and wished to flash my headlight at another vehicle across the intersection, would that work without problem? The engine is sill obviously running, but this time the clutch lever is "in", and the clutch lever switch is closed. Would the starter spin, and try to engage, and potentially cause damage? I don't know.
I also don't know if this is relevant or not. But with the bike in motion, rpm would be high. and at a stop, rpm would be comparatively low.
I accidentally depressed my starter button a while back, while the bike was in motion. I don't think that the starter tried to spin, but I couldn't hear all that well with engine, road, and wind noise. I've never tried it with the bike stopped.
Any help would be welcome. I remember my old car making a hell of a racket when I'd accidentally turn the key in the ignition with the engine already running. Sound familiar? :oops:

anim-cheers1 ..................Dave
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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

#2

Post by RB »

easier to install a switch in the headlight circuit
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CYBORG
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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

#3

Post by CYBORG »

The starter has its own clutch. If you push the start button with the engine running. the starter will activate, but the running engine will over ride the starter clutch. No damage to anything. Also, as part of that circuit, the headlight will go out as long as the button is in
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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

#4

Post by Rat »

Yes .... the starter button will flash your headlight ....

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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

#5

Post by Solina Dave »

Thank you gentlemen. That's exactly what I needed to know. And thanks for the explanation about the running engine overriding the starter clutch Cyborg. That's kind of what I'd suspected, based on what I'd been reading about the starter clutch operation. But I wasn't sure. So thanks again.

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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

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Post by CYBORG »

Solina Dave wrote:Thank you gentlemen. That's exactly what I needed to know. And thanks for the explanation about the running engine overriding the starter clutch Cyborg. That's kind of what I'd suspected, based on what I'd been reading about the starter clutch operation. But I wasn't sure. So thanks again.

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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

#7

Post by robin1731 »

That is actually what we tell people to do when their starter clutch is acting up. Hit the starter button while it is running. This is done in the hope it gets a little oil on the rollers to help lubricate them more and also to loosen them up.

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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

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Post by Solina Dave »

robin1731 wrote:That is actually what we tell people to do when their starter clutch is acting up. Hit the starter button while it is running. This is done in the hope it gets a little oil on the rollers to help lubricate them more and also to loosen them up.

.
That's good to know. Thanks Robin. I'll keep that in mind, possibly for some time in the future.

anim-cheers1 ........Dave
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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

#9

Post by Earl43P »

RAT wrote:Yes .... the starter button will flash your headlight ....

Gord
I do that frequently on all three of my Hondas to warn and signal others. I try not to do it with the clutch held in making the starter run, but as said, it won't hurt it. I did it on my 82 also. Truckers appreciate it when you signal that they are clear to come over, and acknowledge back with their tail lights. I think it's a good practice. For that I use 2 longer off intervals with a short on in between. Seems to be how they signal each other clear to change lane so I mimic that, even in my pickup.

I use quick off blinks at a 4way stop sign intersection to confirm that I know it's their turn to go (along with an exaggerated planting of both feet). Even with the clutch in, the starter doesn't engage much if any if you don't fully depress the switch. Easier to get that knack at night, for the obvious reason that you can see the light go out. My 93 is especially easy to master because it has a lever with a lot more travel, not a button.

I can also be obnoxious with it, using high beams and rapid flashing usually wakes up a left lane camper to move over as I'm gaining on them. That isn't as effective up here in NoVA as it was in rural NC.
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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

#10

Post by Old Fogey »

Change your left hand switch to a UK/Euro one which has a flasher button in it.
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Re: Starter or Engine Damage?

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Post by ericheath »

I don’t recall reading this:

“That is actually what we tell people to do when their starter clutch is acting up. Hit the starter button while it is running. This is done in the hope it gets a little oil on the rollers to help lubricate them more and also to loosen them up.”

Good to know.
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