looking for possible starter problems

[Masterchief1001]

This new V Im getting has a problem starting.  The previous owner says when he turns on the ignition the electrics, lights, etc turn on but the starter doesnt do anything.  He says sometimes it will turn but doesnt engage. This is the first bike I will have, so im kinda new.  Any ideas as to the problem.

[Rob_OS23]

To start off, I have to state that I am by far no expert, but I have/have had some of these same problems, and here are some suggestions, some that others told me I might have.
Anyways, the starter sometimes not doing anything could be as easy as a bad switch. ?Mine has something slight in it, I think it is when I push it in all the way it will lose contact and stop working. ?As for the starter not engaging, mine is doing the same thing, and I was told that if the starter is not turning fast enough, it will not "throw out" and engage(it works using centrifugal force). ?The starter may be worn out, or have oil in it, or the battery may be weak. ?This is some of the stuff I was told by others who know a lot about these things. ?There are lots of good people here who are willing to help any way they can. ?If you are sure you want to get this bike, maybe you could get it into a garage, or get a friend to give it a quick look over for you and tell you if it is worth it or not.
Hope things work out good :)

[Lucky]

The Vision has two almost garenteed problems (well a few more than that, but 2 concerning your question)
Both permanantly & easily fixable, and should be done regardless, so don't worry.

first, the starter sits in the crankcase below the oil level. because of this the starter nose is equiped with an oil seal.  the stock seal does not have a pressure spring built in, and will leak after a few thousand miles. the fix is to drain the oil, pull the starter & replace the seal with a spring type.  the seal is a common size & readily available. the repair is detaileed on the home page here & on my site, Vision Resources (http://www.xz550.com). this is probably why the starter doesnt turn some times, but is not the only possable cause.

Second, for the 'slipping' starter the cause is due to loose starter clutch bolts. the fix here is to again drain the oil, remove the engine left side cover, pull the rotor & remove the 3 hex bolts holding the starter clutch onto the backside of the rotor.  replace the bolts with bolts that are 2 threads longer & PEEN them over so they CANNOT back out.  this procedure is also detailed on my site.

be prepaired to ask questions of us, that's why we are here, ask lots we don't mind.  read as many of the old posts on this site as you can, read thru my whole site & get yourself a factory and/or Haynes manual for the bike.

there are several basic things that usually need to be addressed by a new owner, but once they are taken care of, you'll be riding a bike like none other out there.

Welcome!

--Lucky