Hitchcocks Forum

I think the sprag clutch has "gone" om my Sixty5. The starter spins but not engaging sprocket. I watched a video on utube on replacing one on a UCE engine, and they used a modified one used post 2010. Is the clutch the dame as on the electric start iron engines like mine? If so the modified one sounds a good idea.

If the starter is spinning I doubt it is the sprag failing. I suggest checking the starter motor to see if whatever connects to the starter ring is still connected to the starter motor shaft, and if it is actually engaging when your press the starter.

I have only heard of one starter motor failing, they are a very good Jappanese starter motor. Sprag has failed, I originally heard the sprags in the UCE were the same as the earlier ones but some pics I have seen don't look exactly the same. Sorry I can't be more specific

Papa, if the sprag is not working that is the failed connection. Norm, from the video I saw, the replacement sprag does look different to the one they took out, so maybe that is the difference. I will contact Hitch's for their info. There was a pic of the new type packaging with part no.s on, though it said sprag clutch and gear pn the label.

If it looks like this, it`s broken.

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Norm if the starter motor is turning is hasn't failed, it is whatever is stuck on the end of it may no longer be being driven. Personally I can't see a sprag falling to bits and the starter motor still being able to turn.

Papa I have pulled an unknow quantity of these to bits, seen every scenario you can imagine, and in most cases the starter will turn if the sprag buggers up, the little teeth won't grab in the gears. I had one case where somehow 1 tooth had turned over and the sprag just would not engage.I had to sit down with a magnifying glass to find which one it was, almost impossible to tell. If the shaft siezes and locks the gears that will cause the starter to run all the time, being driven by the motor. Many situations, many different results but usually all bad

When some sprags fail starters can still turn... trust me. And the early UCE sprags were the same as those in the Electra X Newer UCE bikes have a beefier sprag.

Is there an after market sprag without all these problems? I HAVE to have an electric start bike due to disability.
I purchased a second hand Electra X (ish), because I could lower it cheaply, so I could carry on riding a solo motorcycle. I have as yet had no-one quantify just how prevalent the sprag problem is. (I even contacted Enfield HQ in India about it and got no reply.)
My bike made in 2006. Low mileage (currently less than 4000 miles.)

Papa you are about 10 years too late on the scene, these sprags have been blowing up since they were first introduced, so all you can do is push on and keep your fingers crossed that it will last, can't say I'm surprised you couldn't get an answer from the factory, they kept their head in the sand regarding this problem as they did with failing big ends and breaking pistons, typical Indian style