Questioni have a 1979 honda 650 model #C65 the starter will turn but doesntkick the motor over .if i but the bike in gear and rock it back or forward it will kick in but only once then it just spins . does this sound like and internal problem or the starter itself.
AnswerBill, go to
http://www.powersportspro.com/partsfish/ site and sign up, log in and select HONDA CB650 then primary shaft option to view the parts involved.
Sounds like the starter motor is okay. The problem apparently is the starter clutch assembly, buried deep inside the cases.
There are three rollers, caps and springs that comprise the starter clutch. On many other models, the starter clutch is part of the outer rotor, but not so here. Repair will require engine removal, clutch cover side disassembly, then turn it over and split the cases to access the primary shaft parts and the starter clutch pieces. IF you do go in there, replace the dampers, too.
If the bike has a lot of miles on it, the primary chain can be replaced at that time, as well.
The engine is based on the CB500-550, which had kickstarters. They deleted the kickstarter with the new 650 design. If you aren't a fairly accomplished mechanic, this repair may be over your head and it really isn't very cost effective to spend that much money on a bike that isn't worth a great deal now.
Bill Silver
