Motorcycle Repair: Starter issues on 1983 Honda CX650, 1983 honda cx650, starter clutch

Question
QUESTION: from reading another article (http://en.allexperts.com/q/Motorcycle-Repair-837/Starter-issue.htm)I think my issue is either a starter solenoid or the starter clutch. Previously it has been starting 80% of the time, the rest of the time it would make quite a loud rattle and never start. I have been shifting it to 1st, then back to neutral try starting it again and that would work. This morning, all I got was a rattle and then after a few tries nothing but a cranking/clicking noise, no loud rattle like before. I pulled the starter off and it will not turn by hand. My questions are: Does this sound like a starter clutch issue? and will another starter fix the problem, or will a smaller/different part be the thing to replace?

ANSWER: If you hear a rapid clicking noise, then usually there is not enough battery power to start the engine, and you are hearing the solenoid.  The loud rattle could be the starter clutch not engaging properly, or damage within the starter clutch casuing the locking mechanism to 'jump'.  On the CX engine, I believe the starter clutch is a major job, normally it is located on the crank, so it could be major engine work.  I would first check all of the other components like the battery, starter etc. since they can be obtained fairly inexpensively from a junkyard.  In my experience with CX engines, change the oil and look for a milky oil coming out.  If the oil is very light brown or milky, the ceramic water seal is leaking, which is another major job but causes the stsrter clutch to slip.  Good luck,  Jan

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QUESTION: Well, I jumped power to the starter and got nothing but a few sparks. I think I'll go ahead and buy a another one.

Answer
Make sure that the starter is secured well if you connect it as the torque is very large.  There will be sparks when you connect the wires because of the large current that flows...  Don't forget that in order to turn over an engine on a 12V power supply the current needed is around 100 Amps!  If there are only sparks and no movement, I would agree that a new starter is a wise place to start!  Hope you are back on the road soon,  Jan