Fits and Starts. Is my starter clutch/sprag toast?

[HtM]

I've got a 2000 900Sie, with 34,xxx miles on the odo.  Up until recently it was perfectly reliable.  However, the bike went from easy starting to not so easy starting, to not starting at all.

When the problem started it felt like the starter wouldn't engage every time I hit the starter.  It would also at times engage the starter very slowly, like the battery was dying.  One day it just wouldn't start.  It sounded like it engaged and made solid contact, but like the battery didn't have enough juice to get her to turn over.  I thought the battery had finally died, so I replaced the battery.  Well, apparently it wasn't the battery.

I let the bike sit for a couple of weeks (knee surgery!), and when I installed the new battery the bike made some new noises.  On engaging the starter, there is a slight grinding noise (always a mechanical favorite), and no turning over of the engine--it feels like it's not catching.  Like things want to move but can't, or are skimming.

Starter clutch?  I'm happy to do open things up and take a look, but am hoping someone can point me in the right direction before I dive in manual-less.  I've searched the board and wasn't able to find a similar thread...  Ideas?

I appreciate any help!

[clubhousemotorsports]

the starter clutch usually freewheels when it is not going to work.
yours sounds more like your starter motor has seized up.

pull your starter end cap or just pull the whole starter and have a look.

[HtM]

I'll pull it tonight.  It sounds like it's freewheeling, but dragging something at the same time.

I'll take some pics as I pull it.

Thanks.

HtM

[HtM]

Ooh...  it looks like I need "the extractor."

(88713.0144)

Worth buying?  Jerry-riggable?

[Ddan]

Ooh...  it looks like I need "the extractor."

(88713.0144)

Worth buying?  Jerry-riggable?

If you're going to be working on the bike yourself it is worth having, and most any small puller can be made to work.   

[Norm]

I'd jump the solinoid before I'd go any further.

[greenmonster]

there is a slight grinding noise

Sounds to me like the sprag is just about to give in.

[DarkStaR]

I'd jump the solinoid before I'd go any further.

+1.  Might as well eliminate the small stuff first.

[HtM]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

I'm working on pulling out the starter.

After rifling through the garage looking to make something work and finding nothing, I ended up ordering one of these (which was a fraction of the Ducati cost):

Corsair Industries Puller

I pulled the cases, but now need some help with removing the rotor.  The manual has a tool 88713.0710 listed, but having searched around I wasn't able to find much about it.  Is the tool the only way to secure the rotor?  Or is there an alternative?  Strap wrench?
As I learned with the case puller, the Ducati tool is much pricier than an alternative mfg.  If this were something I were looking at doing on a regular basis I wouldn't mind the bucks, but I'm hoping this to be a rare deal.  Ideas?

















Again, thanks for all the help.

[Howie]

At 186 Nm torque you are not holding that puppy with a strap wrench.  An impact wrench will get it off, but then you have the problem of torquing the nut properly on installation.  You can try placing the bike in gear and having an assistant apply the rear brake. 

Oh, new nut on reassembly.

[HtM]

You mean to use the brake trick on reassembly?  Or just for getting the nut off?

Is there an alternative to the Ducati tool?  And if there isn't, where would you source the the tool?

Thanks for the heads up on the nut.

[Howie]

Reassembly also.  Two alternatives for holding the crank so the nut can be removed are a penny between the gears (the idea being copper is much softer than steel) or holding the crank on the clutch side using a clutch holding tool.  Oh, heat on the nut will help since it is on with red loctite.  I have no idea where you can buy the genuine Ducati tool except through a dealer.