[Midland_TanMan]

My '07 1300R has 2,480 miles on her and here's the scenario...

I notice a very brief (less than half a second) noise that sounds like the starter possibly engaging when I shut the engine off. Placing my hand on the starter motor comfirms the starter doesn't feel like it's spinning while the motor is running, and the starter noise at motor shut down is accompanied by the same feel on the starter motor as when I hit the start button (i.e. the starter motor is turning at that point). There are no unusual noises or vibrations noticeable when riding or when the bike is sitting still, idling.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? This is my 1st VTX and I love the bike! Just checked the valve clearances (they were dead-on) and am getting to put a set of slip-ons in place of the large factory mufflers. I've owned Harleys in the past, but after coming back from Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago, it's nice to ride a bike that's much more comfortable!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on thisatriot:

 

[blackdot]

I have noticed this as well. Something tells me that the VTX starter setup is a little different, then other setups where the starter does not engage until the starter button is pressed. I believe it is always connected or something like that. Perhaps someone with more experience in that area will chime in soon.

 

[Donut]

Normal.
There will be a slight clunk sound when the engine is shut off. It is the centrifugal clutch on the starter retracting. (hope I explained this right).

Donut atriotoug

 

[Supraman762]

Mine does the same thing and I am glad to hear that it is normal.

 

[Tunders1]

Jeff (J Conrad) has a very helpful post about changing the clutch in the starter motor, do a search and you should find it. It will show you exactly how it goes together - in full color large pictures - better than the manual!

 

[Bassdude404]

How bout that!?!?...Two threads only 4 spaces apart about the exact same thing!!...lol....My bike does the same thing...

 

[yfx4]

Mine does it too. Sometimes more noticeable than others. I've tried to record the sound but it doesn't happen when I am trying to record it. :banghead:

Glad to hear that others experience the same sound!!

 

[Midland_TanMan]

LOL! Well, maybe 8 spaces. Didn't have a high-pitched noise so I bypassed the other thread. After seeing your reply, I went to that post and it's looking more and more like the noise I'm experiencing is sort of common. Looking into the manual and applying a little reasoning it sems logical to conclude the sound is coming from the starter clutch. The type of array Honda chose would take a bit of time (relatively speaking) to release.

TanMan

 

[05vtx1300r]

Mine has had the noise since day one also.

 

[Pretorian]

And the answer is!

I notice a very brief (less than half a second) noise that sounds like the starter possibly engaging when I shut the engine off. Placing my hand on the starter motor comfirms the starter doesn't feel like it's spinning while the motor is running, and the starter noise at motor shut down is accompanied by the same feel on the starter motor as when I hit the start button (i.e. the starter motor is turning at that point). There are no unusual noises or vibrations noticeable when riding or when the bike is sitting still, idling.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts on thisatriot:

I just replaced the starter on my 06 C because the front armature bearing went bad and I learned a lot about it. The starter on the VTX is fully engaged in the primary gear train at all times. There is NO solenoid to extend or retract the actual starter gear when the start button is pushed. The noise you are hearing is the reverse direction of all the gears in the starter gear train which is triggered by the last comperssioin stroke of the motor after the ignition or kill swith is activated. Kind of a slight "backlash" if you will and it is very normal for this to happen.

 

[yfx4]

SWWEEEEETTTT. Thanks Pretorian!!

Well there you go. It is normal. One less thing to wonder about.

 

[Midland_TanMan]

You DA MAN Pretorian!!!!!!!!

 

[Drive Shaft]

Yep, Pretorian nailed it! Most bikes keep the starter gear engaged and use a starter clutch to disengage it from the engine. The clutch is a reverse centrifugal clutch which pulls the engaging mechanism outward and away from engagement. Works the same as a centrifugal clutch on kid bikes except they push the engagement mechanism into engagement. Good thing about V-twin's is that the starter clutch is accessible through the side crankcase cover. On older Japanese models like my Yamaha you have to remove the engine and split the cases to fix it.