79 starter not always engaging

[BlueNose-2]

Recently purchase my first bike..79 10th anniversary edition. Bike is in great shape overall but the starter does not always engage...most often does not.. and always makes noise.  Any obvious solutions to the starter clutch issue? Items to look for? Thanks.

[rm56-2]

When you hit the starter do you just hear a high pitched wine? Or do you hear a clicking sound? The high pitched wine, your solenoid is shot. The clicking sound is a bad starter relay. G-day

rm

[rm56-2]

Oh sorry, one other problem might be that the teeth on your starter gear have been worn off from someone hammering the starter too fast. If the teeth are chewed up the small starter gear can not engage the crank gear to turn over the engine. But check your relay first, its cheaper and an easy fix.
rm