And the answer is!
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.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:
