Motorcycle Repair: evo starter removal 97 custom st, center bolt, head bolts

Question
must primary cover be open? does starter gear stay in primary housing when starter is removed? starter seems to be held in with allen head bolts from the right side. what size allen? does oil tank need to be removed or just loosened and jockeyed around. my starter seems tired and sometimes does not stay engaged with the flywheel. perhaps the bendix spring is weak. local shop that rebuilds starters and alternators assures me that they can rebuild it. what are your thoughts on this project thanks joe

Answer
IT COULD BE THE STARTER RING GEAR ON THE CLUTCH HUB OR THE STARTER JACKSHAFT GEAR OR THE STARTER JACKSHAFT COUPLING IN THE PRIMARY, TO REMOVE STARTER THE OUTER PRIMARY MUST BE REMOVED AND THE CENTER BOLT THAT GOES THROUGHT THE STARTER JACKSHAFT MUST BE REMOVED, OIL TANK SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REMOVED. JOHNNY