CL450 starter clutch

[Sam Ruger]

OK. Stupid question. I have a 450CL and have read, and a mechanic confirmed, that I am to perform "starter clutch maintenance". What does that mean?

 

[ancientdad]

OK. Stupid question. I have a 450CL and have read, and a mechanic confirmed, that I am to perform "starter clutch maintenance". What does that mean?

That's an odd recommendation from a mechanic. There really is no maintenance on the starter clutch, it works or it doesn't and to do any "maintenance" at all is basically the same as repairing it - you can't get to the internal parts to maintain them without fully disassembling the starter clutch in the same way required to do any repairs if it wasn't working.

 

[Flyin900]

Unless it is a know issue with that model that the 3 bolts loosen off and the clutch rollers start to rattle. The Honda DOHC series of motors are known to have this issue. My CB1100F is starting to exibit the issue and I am doing the repair after the season ends. I have repaired a number of CB900's with the same problem over the years.

Still I agree it is a strange request, since he should have specified what the concern or reason is for the maintenance.

 

[wentwest]

The starter clutch on my Piaggio scooters (same engine as Vespa) is what's called a sprag clutch. It's very different than the clutch we're familiar with on the twins and bikes of that era, but like the Honda clutches it's really not serviceable. It can be packed up with crap from dirty oil and I had to soak one in kerosene for days to get it clean enough to work right again. Maybe the mechanic was more familiar with that technology.

 

[Flyin900]

The starter clutch on my Piaggio scooters (same engine as Vespa) is what's called a sprag clutch. It's very different than the clutch we're familiar with on the twins and bikes of that era, but like the Honda clutches it's really not serviceable. It can be packed up with crap from dirty oil and I had to soak one in kerosene for days to get it clean enough to work right again. Maybe the mechanic was more familiar with that technology.

My experience is that the Honda starter clutches are rebuildable, as I have done everything from Goldwing bikes to the CB DOHC ones in the past. I would call them a over running roller clutch in design. The pins and springs and rollers are normally still available from Honda. The body of the clutch usually is NLA, so if worn the only option is to have it hard metal coated and machined by a machine shop. Then the new parts noted above can be installed in the refurbished starter clutch body.

 

[Sam Ruger]

Thanks to all. The mechanic I talked to actually restores classic bikes for a living. When I'd never heard of it, he assured repeatedly of the need for maintenance and went into a five minute speel, losing me in 30 seconds. I'll watch for additional replies.

 

[ancientdad]

Thanks to all. The mechanic I talked to actually restores classic bikes for a living. When I'd never heard of it, he assured repeatedly of the need for maintenance and went into a five minute speel, losing me in 30 seconds. I'll watch for additional replies.

I don't mean to differ with him or insult his knowledge in any way, but not even Honda (known for a high level of maintenance recommendations, take a long look at any FSM and you'll see maintenance and repairs of things most just replace) mentions any maintenance of the starter clutch. To actually do any maintenance, the mechanism would have to be removed and disassembled in order to actually see if the parts are in working order since there is no way to inspect the components involved without doing so. The only actual maintenance I can think of would be checking the tightness of the 3 screws holding the assembly to the alternator rotor, because if they come loose the reliability of the starter clutch is immediately reduced and extensive damage can result if it continues to be used. The unit runs in engine oil and the only wear that typically occurs results from hard starting or inaccurate engine tune causing excessive load on the starter clutch. Otherwise, it simply works until it begins to slip occasionally due to long term wear or the results of damage to the clutch due to other engine problems.

 

[MrPepper]

Cl450 starter clutch, located on the back of the alternator rotor, does not need service unless it starts slipping or unless you want to replace used working parts with newer parts

It's basically 3 small springs, caps and rollers and they either work or don't. Nothing you can do to prolong their life