Forum

[Thumper Dave]

Hi all I have been having a problem with the sprag clutch on my 2007 es bullet. I was wondering can i just remove the sprag clutch and associated gears as the starting system never functioned properly.
Whilst having the bike mot done the sprag clutch decided to jam up and I couldn't turn the engine over. So rather than just replace the sprag(which I understand fail on a regular basis) I wish to remove it completely.
Any information would be really useful. Cheers

[PeteF]

Yes, you can remove the sprag assembly and just kick-start it. Mr H sells a blanking plate if you want to remove the starter motor as well and you can revert to the old style primary cases as well if you want.

[sofiaspin]

yes just done that on my 08 Electra X which had eaten the sprag twice, so had enough and just use kick start.

[neddy]

Yes you can take it all out no problem, but doing that then the starter motor might as well go, is this an electra or iron barrel, a iron barrel can be set up and use the starter without problem, if your leg is good then use a kickstarter only, read all the old posts before you decide what would be good for you

[Tim NZ]

The sprag starter drive can be very reliable...


So long as the decomppressor is activated EVERY time the motor is started, and is used to 'kill' the motor too.


Key on, engage decomp, hit starter button, allow mtr to spin a second or two, release decomp. DO NOT stop the motor via the kill-switch or key, ALWAYS engage the decomp to stop!


The UCEs achieve the same effect with their automatic valve lifter. Backfiring and compression 'bounce-back' is what kills the sprag.

[Adam]

Hi Tim, Having replaced the sprag a while ago I always stop the engine on decompressor, am I right in thinking that stopping 'electrically' the piston will always come to rest on the compression stroke thus causing a massive strain on the sprag when the starter motor is next engaged? Using decompressor means the piston will stop randomly when the energy runs out. Whilst I can see the benefit of starting using decomp I find starting with decompressor deployed a bit difficult cos I need an extra couple of inches on my thumb to reach the decomp lever while holding the clutch lever in. Adam

[PeteF]

You shouldn't need to hold the clutch in to start.
If you stop "electrically" the piston can (and does) come up to compression and bounce backwards. Sprags don't like the engine going backwards.

[Exile]

Sounds like Tim nailed it.... Good advice.

[Chris [Stockport]]

What Tim says sounds good. Just one question.... what happens if the engine stalls or cuts out for some reason?

[Gwilly]

I would say that an uphill stall would be more destructive than a kickback, especially if you're giving it gas, (bigger bang) then let the bike roll backwards in gear, that should do the trick..

As Adam points out the early 2000's bikes had no neutral switch and relies on the clutch being pulled in to facilitate the starter.

I've tried and i cannot pull the decomp with a thumb and reach the clutch lever at the same time.

So short of disconnecting the clutch switch which lets face it is a safety device, the only thing you can do is use the decomp to stop the motor.

When it comes to starting from cold you can lessen the strain on the starter by first pulling the clutch and kick over to free the clutch plates.

Then release the clutch and take the piston just over TDC compression using the decomp, now when you use the starter there will be 2 revolutions of the motor to build up speed before hitting the compression again..

Could of course continue to use the kicker but i find a greater tendency to kick back with anything less than a focused positive swing..