Hitchcocks Forum

Hi All,

Following a series of alarming bangs, clangs and clatters when trying to start the Electra X, I now have a starter motor that rotates freely but doesn’t engage with anything, hence I didn’t go for the planned ride along the Jurassic Coast last evening. Grrrr…

I am assuming that the spr*g clutch has had enough and taken early retirement at 11,000 miles.

Assuming that the ‘claws’ have parted company from the cage that should contain them, is it potentially dangerous (expensive!) to run the bike or should I recruit a neighbour to help me push it up the steep driveway into the garage?

Never been here before but there seems to be a lot of information about replacing the device here and elsewhere so wish me luck in my endeavours.

Adam

Short answer, yes, you have to strip it and remove the bits. If any get out and get between the chain and a sprocket it could wreck the clutch, engine, or gearbox. Or the lot!! At the least, it could lock up the starter gears and spin the starter motor to it's death!

Thanks very much for your advice, tis as I suspected, glad I didn't try last evening.
Adam

From what I hear, you were lucky to get 11,000 out of it. Pal of mine just gave up and went kick start only after 5 sprags in 20,000.