Motorcycle Repair: 1978 Hondamatic CB400A Clutch issue, speed jets, starter clutch

Question
First off I just wanted to say thank you for your time.  I will try and include all the information that I have.  Hard starting bike, recent carbs done.  Will run on choke, and usually sputters out without choke.  Upon acceleration without choke on it sometimes knocks as it tries to go.  Doesn't sound like engine knock, and is not consistent at all.  Starter taken to starter rebuild shop, they say its fine.  Can hear it spinning, but not engaging flywheel (or whatever it engages in there) When bike runs for about 5 minutes it will inexplicably die.  Plenty of gas, and when it dies I checked and there is gas in the float bowls (turned the drain screw on both and gas immediately pours out)  Can't figure out whats killing it...I know this is vague, but is there anything you can think of that maybe transmission, clutch, even camshaft?  Where should I start?  Thank you very much for your help, and I'm sorry that I cannot explain better what it is doing.

Answer
Jeff, you still have a problem in the carbs.  THe low speed jets or the passages are still plugged.  That's why it only runs with the choke on.  If you take the low speed jets out and hold it up to the light to look through the passage, you should see light through it.  I usually have to take a small copper wire and poke through the jet and clean out the crud.  Soaking will not get it out.  It's also possible the floats are set too low and the engine is running too lean which could also cause the engine to die.

The starter problem is the starter clutch.  There's a clutch sprauge on the crankshaft that has three rollers and springs.  that ride on the crank journal.  When you engage the starter, the rollers grip the crank and turn the engine over.  If those springs are worn out and don't push the rollers tight against the crank, the rollers slip and the crank won't turn.

You have to pull the flywheel off and replace teh springs and the little steel caps the go over the springs the ride in the rollers.  Pack the rollers and pins in with grease when you go to put it back together.  That's the only way I know to get it back together without loosing one of the rollers int the crankcase...this is bad if it happens.

Once you get the carbs right, it will probably fix the engine dieing issue. If you've been running with the choke partially on, it can cause the engine to run too rich which can cause it to die.

REgards
Rich