My FE 400 1996 the starter just spinning..

you probably can find service manuals and parts manuals online if you google them, or at least come up with something from a simliar model from an earlier berg like yours and the info will be the same or similar, basically the starter motor is spinning from what you can see with the cover off, that means that something in the starter drive is broken, i havnt had my starter out to know whats it there but something is broken with yours...after removal of the starter the problem will likely be obvious, searching the forum will likely turn up some info on this too... ebay is a good source for parts for the older bergs, plastics and a lot of other parts can be found and a lot of the parts will interchange directly or with minor modification..you also have a great source for parts near you, try rick bozarth from offroad boss in portland....as far as the not idling it could be anything, is the air filter clean? spark plug and wire new? carb cleaned recently? or what happens when you adjust the carb? is the spark weak? fresh gas? could be a valve adjustment issue, stator, timing problem, the "owners doc" on the top left of the main page of this site also has a lot of useful information even though it pertains to the newer bergs, also the info in the forums is endless with proper searching the info can usually be found....you will also want to change the oil all the time 5w-50 synthetic is recomended some 15w-40 oils are also acceptable....you can also read whats best to use in the forums with some searching....good luck on fixing it and enjoying your new bike!

May be these are helpful:
Spare Parts Manual 1989 - 1996
Spare Parts Manual 1997 I
Spare Parts Manual 1997 II

It sounds like the starter sprague is slipping. this is the same problem as the later bikes have so the doc is very relevant here. however, the dimensions of the two models are different so there is little you can 'buy' that will help. I believe also that you must strip the engine to cure this!

I do a better spring for the later spragues but you'd have to join two together is such a way that this works because your sprague is bigger by 50%.

but before I did that I would get my bike starting and running well off the kickstart. it needs to start in 2-3 kicks max.

it's now known many of the things that make them start and run sweet.
sledge mod for the kickstart
iridium plug
changing the ignition timing having found and marked the true TDC
1/6th of a turn tappets
looking for worn rocjker shafts, tuliped valves, domed stems, cupped tappet pads and cam follower bearings that are shagged out. all those bits of wear kill it
most of all the carb needs completely re-freshing as they wear out and some small improvements can be made
if you have the square slide carb then junk it for a round slide or go bang up to date with a keihin modifcations.
look out also for little ends going and the clutch bush wear as well.
I like to see DVSK fitted
look at fitting a newer KTM cam and decomp complete as a way of saving money
fit closed cam bearings not open

regards

Taffy

Hi

As Taff said, for you to completly check your starter system you will need to open the cases.

Taff, I've changed my spring on the 02 bike as you know, the old one that I've taken its much biger that the one that you have sent me. Do you think I can re-use that old one to my 98 engine, since its open now ?? If its smaller than the one from 98, will it be better ?

One other thing, my 98 bike has dual springs and they came with the bike new ????

One last thing, why the hell do I need closed bearings, with all that oil going arround over there ?

Thanks
:cheers:
ZAGA

no oil gets to the back bearing I'm afraid and the balls fall out. and this is on the 02s as well even though they have an oil feed to the top end.

as for the spring I think that in the absence of anything else you could try it. It was proved that the problem is only partly the STRENGTH of the spring, the other half of the problem is that it is too thick and gets bound in each roller like a claw hammer holds a nail. this makes the spring do all its stretching in one small area and nothing in another.

regards

Taffy

Hi
Thanks Taff

Sweedi, check this, it might give you a hand. Sorry can't send with bettter quality because its too big and only have it on pictures.

[attachment=0:17n3aozp]98_Manual_starter_pages.pdf[/attachment:17n3aozp]

:cheers:
ZAGA