1987 FXST I went for a ride Saturday and stopped for a beer, when I went to leave all I could hear from my bikes starter system was the relay, so I crossed the soleniod and nothing just sparks no engaging of the bendix or anything. I thought it was the Soleniod, so I picked up one today and nothing changed. On further thinking I opened up my primary, thought the shaft might have been partially engaged when I removed it so I closed it back up, started drove around the block, came home and once shut off, it did the same thing, tapped on the primary with a piece of wood and hammer, it started, but only that once (i stopped out love for the bike) any ideas out there?

SOURCE: No starter engagement 2005 Silverado 1100

I would seriouly look at the starter clutch, the 1100 yamaha cruiser motors are notorious for this problem way back when the same motor was in the viragos and the xvs 1100 vstars, yamaha have tried to fix the prob over the years but stillhavn't got it right. if it just spins and whirs without engaging the engine, but sometime will kick in engagement, it sounds like your starter clutch is on it's way out. they cost from yamaha around $450- 500 ea plus around $350 to fit you have to include a $30 gasket in all that.

SOURCE: Yamaha 2001 Raptor 660, sat for a year, wont

Your gas is bad.  I have to change my all the time If your starter turns but dose not engage the starter barring is out DO NOT BUY STOCK. buy after market when you replace that.  they 

SOURCE: starter will not engage-soleniod just clicks-

I had this problem last year. I was told by a reputable Yamaha service technician that I could "jump" the leads on the solenoid to unstick it. It worked. However, in retrospect, I wish I would have just replaced the solenoid, given that it is a relatively cheap component (~$40 new). Since then, I had the sticking and clicking problem again this past March right at the beginning of the season, and during my attempt to repeat the success, I shorted out the bike because I got careless about what my disconnected wires touched on the bike. Shame on me. So I'd recommend replacing the solenoid.

Jeff Policky

• 40 Answers
• Posted on May 25, 2009

SOURCE: starter motor turn but wont engage

It has a starter clutch on the fly wheel. You will need to remove the left side case cove to access it. You will need to pull the flywheel with a puller as the starter clutch is behind the flywheel

SOURCE: Backing up with reverse gear bike just stopped. It

Pull out on the lever and push it toward the front of the bike, hard if necessary. Rock the bike while pushing. If the bike comes out of gear it should start. The bike will not start while the lever is up.
Probably need to replace the switch behind the lever. Don't test it, just replace it.