I noticed a slight weep of oil had gotten a little more noticable so decided that it was time to investigate. I replaced the copper washer behind the neutral swtch thing and checked the generator covers bolts. I then rembered there was one hidden so I took of the cover for the gears between the starter and then sprag clutch area and sadly found that the casing had cracked and snapped, see attached photos.
Usually i the can be due to sprag clutch failure but i only put a nee one on 6 months ago and have barely ridden it! My only guess (as maybe stupid as it is) is that where the gears/shaft fit into the donut mount there was no washer. If there was direct connection could there really be enough tortional force to break this?
Id be greatful for an opinion, im really glad that i found it now rather than when we leave for a trip! Im worried this could happen again.
If it does i imagine the best i can do is remove the gears, jb weld and cracks and use the kicker?
I have never seen anything like that before. Usually a worn sprag lets the engine kick back against the starter gears when the engine stops and it cracks the casing - not take out the whole supporting casting for the starter gear that acts on the starter pinion.
This is a photo of the usual scenario and you can see that the central boss is still intact where yours is completely broken off.
Another photo showing damage on reverse and the small starter gear.
If you have a new sprag and the starter gears and bosses are all OK then a replacement generator cover along with correctly fitted washers should fix it. No need to go back to kickstart only.
Do you think it could have been a loose bit of debris, like in the other sprag post?
Like you said if Bri has not seen it before, very strange do you think the missing washer could cause so much friction to heat weld the 2 components together??
I'd say your's was the result of something hard getting caught in the gear teeth Dan. Doesn't need much to jam the gears, and if they're spinning fast something's gotta give. Freak incident though for some detritus to travel that far up the casing either in the oil or stuck to various gear teeth. Bad luck. Glad you found it now though!
Brian's pics looked to me like someone tried to lever the starter motor out and put too much strain on that little spur casting, but then the broken teeth on the gear suggest again meshing with a foreign body in the teeth.
Still don't know 100% but thanks for the suggestions! Im glad i found it now, im very paranoid at the moment, i kerp checking it just in case!
Quick question too... i have a brand new yamaha sprag clutch on the bike but 50% of the time when turning the bike of its got quite a loud bang, is anyone elses like this? Also start up can be pretty noisy too:/ my gears all look to be in good condition!