"So" not being able to ride the K for a wee while I was glad to be back and decided a potter out in the country was the order of the day the sun was out the sky was blue and then   "Whirl" "Whirl" "Whirl"
was the only sound coming from the starter but no engine engagement.

So "Battery" check, connections and relays here there and everywhere "Check" "Check" "Check" all to no avail, so rock the bike in gear backwards and forward and try bumping along for some time but "no" still just a whirl.

And so out came the spanners and the thinking cap, having removed all the items to expose the starter battery included I removed and tested the starter on the bench and she worked like a good one [gave her a clean out anyway] "So" it was all pointing to the unspeakable sprag clutch not the easiest part to get to and having no great wish to strip her down.

I then removed the alternator and with a spray bottle and hose sprayed some engine oil detergent additive through the starter hole and with a 13mm socket an extension and a ratchet turned the alternator drive coupling one way and then the other [ engine usually needs to be locked to undo this bolt] and continued round and round and back and forth and giving the odd spray of detergent additive over the starter gear hopefully splashing the sprag clutch I think it was for the ratchetting that did it but I felt a change "So" on with the starter and with the aid of some small motorcycle jump leads attached the battery, on with the key and bruumm bruumm she started, quickly stopped her on with the alternator battery and other important bits and once more she fired up so ran her for half an hour dropped the oil and filter and replaced with some diesel type oil and gave her a good run.

Although she is working ok I will keep the treatment and oil changing for a while to get her well cleaned and lubed, I must admit I did not relish the thought of a strip down I guess I was just lucky, fingers crossed 

Take care folks

BIG D

Well, for the good news 88 had such an issue and its now known you can drill a hole in the casing to access it with cleaner. Also, seems it can be accessed for lubing by removing the right hand engine cover.

Keep fingers crossed and oil changed!!! And if you can for a while, park on a hill.

Great work Big D.

we just love a story with a happy ending!

thank goodness for small graces, wherein a level head prevailed !

I had a sprag issue and could not bring myself to drill the casing. I then found a post that works; remove crank cover, spin motor via rear wheel and spray each hole on the sprag ring. CAUTION replacing crank cover bolts, THEY WILL BREAK and from what ive read to be replaced w each removal. @ $9 EACH. I torqued to spec a d one still broke off using the old ones. But this method saved. About 10 hours of labor!