Electric Starter Clutch Rebuild / Removal (For Kick Start Only) : Honda CB350 / CB360 / CB450

www.common-motor.com/
The electric starter on the Honda CB350 (CL350 Scrambler), CB360 (CL360) and CB450 (CL450 / CB500T) series of bikes is a pretty robust unit from the factory. Yet the starter clutch which connects the starter motor to the engine is a weak point. If it sounds like a bottle cap in the garbage disposal when you press the starter button, then your starter clutch needs a rebuild. While most folks enjoy the luxury and convenience of an electric starter on your motorcycle, we realize that there are some of you out there that prefer to keep it simple and eliminate the electric starer and go kick start only. A well tuned Honda engine will always fire up with only a few swift kicks (the benchmark of a good engine tuner). CB350's and CB360's are pretty warm blooded and kick start with usually about 3 - 5 kicks. CB450's tend to be a bit cold blooded and need a few more kicks to get going.
Regardless of the way you choose to start your bike, we outline here the steps needed to disassemble and remove the starter clutch (and the electric starter for kick start only) or how to go about rebuilding the starter clutch and reinstalling it back on the engine.
A few notes:
1) All parts of the electric starter clutch mechanism must be removed to go kick start only. Do not just remove the starter, small gear and chain it will cause the starter gear to grind against the crankshaft bearing.
2) There is no need to remove the starer clutch housing from the back of the rotor if you are just replacing the clutch components. However sometimes the JIS screws are loose that hold clutch housing to the rotor. If that is the case, remove them, clean and reinstall with RED lock-tite on the threads. You can use an impact driver in reverse to tighten the screws. Make sure to stake the heads in place with a chisel.
Tools:
-Rotor Puller : www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...
-Impact Driver (for removing JIS side cover screws) : www.common-motor.com/impact-d...
Parts:
-Starter Clutch Rebuild Kits
-- CB350 (CL350 Scrambler) / CB360 (CL360) : www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...
-- CB450 / CL450 / CB500T : www.common-motor.com/honda-45...
-Starter Removal Kit : www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...
-Starter Plug : www.common-motor.com/Honda-CL...
-Service Gasket Kits
-- CB350 / CL350 Scrambler : www.common-motor.com/honda-35...
-- CB360 / CL360 Scrambler : www.common-motor.com/honda-36...
--CB450 / CL450 / CB500T : www.common-motor.com/honda-45...
-Stainless Allen Bolt Kits
-- CB350 / CL350 Scrambler : www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...
-- CB360 / CL360 Scrambler : www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...
-- CB450 / CL450 / CB500T : www.common-motor.com/honda-45...
--Anti-Seize Compound : www.common-motor.com/anti-sei...
-Shift Levers
-- CB350 / CL350 Scrambler : www.common-motor.com/honda-35...
-- CB360 / CL360 /CB450 / CL450 / CB500T : www.common-motor.com/honda-36...

[@tailgatetalk]

If you’re in a situation where you must have a puller today, the rear axle can be used as a puller. The nut end of the axle is the same size and threads as is what’s inside the starter clutch. Just put some vice grips super tight on the axle shaft for leverage to make a pseudo ratchet and do all the other same steps in the video. Not quite as sophisticated as the puller tool but it works in a pinch.

[@aikanekai]

Hi all - Here's the deal on my starter clutch. I remembered reading somewhere that one should clean the starter clutch cavities and and then lube the starter clutch roller and surfaces with silicon grease. I went through the videos, I may have missed it, but I didn't find it. I've had my starter clutch apart like five times and this is the first time I used the silicon and it's actually working as it should. No noisy chain rattle, no more hit and miss starter clutch. I did eventually find where I had read it...... in the work-shop manual, of coarse! Quote from the CB450 work shop manual: "The serviceability of the starting clutch is dependent upon the function of the roller, therefore, exercise the following precautions when handling the rollers. a; Use only the specified silicone grease as lubircant on the rollers. b. Clean the rollers in gasoline and dry thoroughly before applying a light coating of silicone grease to entire surface of the rollers before assembly, using a fine hair brush. c. Characteristics of the silicone grease: ( a - Little change quality from low temperature through high temperature) (b - Temperature causes very little change to the friction coefficient (on coated metal surface!.)" *The exclamation is in the manual...it wasn't me. Fancy the Japanese doing that back in the '60's! * I believe this is likely crucial to a good outcome when rebuilding the starter clutch with the Common-Motor kits. Cheers

[@gregmcfarland8639]

Thanks to all at Common Motor for yet another clear and concise video , greatly appreciated

[@Common-motor]

Glad to help!

[@barcusful]

Brilliant video. Thank you so much.

[@geoffreyjones2000]

Thanks again fellas... you deserve the most :)

[@Common-motor]

Thank you!

[@dronepilotflyby9481]

Thanks, my starter works but has that screeching noise you mentioned. Now I know it's the starter clutch.

[@Tony-bv7gz]

You guys should do videos that cover your personal rides. The Long Haul Series was great. Go over your bikes in detail. Mods, history, where they been ridden etc...

[@Common-motor]

Great suggestion!

[@BaileyEvans]

What do you suggest I do if the threads in the crankshaft are stripped for the bolt that holds down the flywheel?

[@robertporter5320]

Is there a video for kick start repair? I have a 1974 CB450. When you put your foot on the kick start lever, it is about parallel with the ground. It doesn't seem like it engages properly. When you kick, it doesn't seem to have very much rotation.

[@viscose808]

Thank you for this video!

[@jillreeves9138]

the springs and other components were in pieces inside the starter clutch cavities. I ended up digging them out with a wire that i bent to fish them out.

[@chrish236]

What do you do with the positive cable that was attached to the starter?

[@KyleHand]

So on my bike, i can get all the way to 2 minutes 30 sec into the video. I have the filter wrench on the clutch and a breaker bar on the center bolt. I have used liquid wrench and I have tapped that center bolt a couple times with the impact driver. I cannot get that center bolt to budge. Any thoughts?

[@vlissblisskiss]

Any chance that kit would work with a CB200T?

[@chadhanebrink8009]

Do one for spoking and truing wheels. I am about to do it on my 450 and I have no clue where to start.

[@Common-motor]

We'll add it to the list!

[@robertporter5320]

No mention of a gasket for the stator cover. Mine has one. Also, does the chain cover come off without taking off the foot pedal? Mine doesn't look like it will clear.

[@Common-motor]

Yes there is a gasket for the stator. Chain covers usually have to take off the foot pedal, depends on the model.

[@bryanr1727]

Where I can buy that sprocket?

[@swarmofbees]

Great video! Do you have to set ignition timing on the bike once everything is put back in or have you not messed with the timing in the process?

[@Common-motor]

This wouldn't change your timing!

[@bluezcluez206]

Do you have to remove the larger of the two sprockets? (The one connected to the rotor) I pulled the chain and smaller sprocket and put in ya’ll’s plug where the starter was. Is that enough/ok?

[@AteamOFturds]

Did you ever get answer to this? Did you just leave the other sprocket on?

[@spencerwilletts9705]

If switching to kick start only, do you have to do anything with the run switch on the handlebar controls? Or does just the ignition turning on take care of that?

[@Common-motor]

Exactly as you said. There is no wiring mod needed.

[@acvn-hg9gy]

Thanks for the video, very helpful! The starter clutch repair kit is out of stock? Are you expacting new stock soon?

[@Common-motor]

Usually we will have themback in stock within 1-2 weeks!

[@acvn-hg9gy]

@@Common-motor great, thanks!

[@nyb7571]

I've pretty much rounded the rotor bolt trying to get off to fix my starter clutch. Any advice on how to remove it?

[@Common-motor]

You'll probably have to pick up a bolt extractor socket set!

[@spencerflack]

If we decide to go Kickstart only would you be able to take out the electric start solenoid and the electric start button on the handlebars?

[@Common-motor]

Definitely! No need for them anymore.

[@aikanekai]

All your videos are awesome guys but there is one thing to think about. DO NOT USE GREASE OR OIL inside the starter clutch assembly! It's a no-no. I made this mistake and my as rebuilt to new spec starter clutch would not engage correctly every time as it should. I then went back to the factory manual and read the following. The FACTORY service manual explicitly states: " 4. Servicing - The serviceability of the starting clutch is dependent upon the function of the roller, therefore, exercise the following precautions when handling the rollers. a; Use only the specified silicone grease as lubricant on the rollers. b. Clean the rollers in gasoline and dry thoroughly before applying a light coating of silicone grease to entire surface of the rollers before assembly, using a fine hair brush. c. Characteristics of the silicone grease (a- Little change quality from low temperature through high temperature) (b- Temperature causes very little change to the friction coefficient on coated metal surface ! ) Grease and oils are just too slippery for these clutches to operate at their optimum. Now my starter never makes a bad sound and engages quietly and perfectly every time. All the best, Dave

[@stephenroughton2792]

Do I have to adjust that chain for the starter clutch and everything ? I put a new starter on my bike and now the bike won’t turn over , do I have to re time it or ??

[@alexandercoll5617]

I have the same question, might as well re time it, they have a great video on that too!

[@richieortiz5]

Do y’all carry this kit for the cb175 k4 or at least the plug?

[@Common-motor]

Hey Richard, reach out to our support to our website. Often times if this kit doesn't already fit we can get one for you that does.

[@MrGmori]

Have tools but pulling that rotor has been hard. Has not moved on bit.

[@dillon156842]

Did you get it off I'm having the same issue

[@Andybyduo]

Does a bad starter clutch affect the kick starter at all? Like can you have a faulty starter clutch and just use the kick starter?

[@henrydillard6217]

Not sure on these but if its anything like a Yamaha warrior then no, you cant kick it over but probably can still roll start it...

[@ImB4k4]

I'm no expert, but considering that they say to entirely *REMOVE* the starter clutch when going kick-start only, I seriously down one affects the other.

[@bradyt7857]

You're pretty lucky if just replacing rollers, springs, and caps, will fix a slipping starter clutch.