Got this PM this morning with answers to questions above.
Was the bike running properly and then suddenly this problem started?
Yes. Ran an errand, came back out the engine began to start then stopped abruptly with a clank.
So you were using the bike recently before the problem surfaced.
Were you using the bike regularly or has it been idle for a long time?
I have been bringing it back to life after an accident in 2017.
So the bike has been sitting idle for 5 years. Were you using it much since it started working again?
Were you doing any work on the bike prior to this problem occurring?
Just completed installing a new fuel regulator as well as refurbished injectors and checking all fluids.
Shouldn't have any bearing on the problem.
Is the battery fully charged?
Battery is fully charged.
What happens when you try to start the engine with the clutch pulled in?
Same thing happens.
This is interesting. It tells me that the problem shouldn't be downstream of the clutch if the clutch is working properly, but the following answer contradicts this.
With the bike on the center stand and the transmission in neutral is it easy to spin the rear tire?
No, rear wheel seems to be locked but in neutral. I put it in 3rd gear then roll backwards . It will unlock but do the same thing when trying to start again.
If the clutch is working properly, this tells me that the problem is in the transmission. Along with the previous answer it says the clutch may be malfunctioning along with the transmission
Still on the center stand, with the transmission in 5th and all the spark plugs out, can you turn the rear wheel and the engine through several rotations of the crankshaft?
Haven’t tried yet.
This should identify whether or not the problem is in the engine. Unfortunately, the clutch confuses whatever result comes of it.
With the spark plugs still out and the transmission in neutral, does the starter spin the engine freely?
Haven’t tried yet
This should confirm if the problem is or isn't in the engine, but again, with the clutch suspect the results will be inconclusive.
Bottom line is that it appears to me that the clutch isn't working properly. I'm still unsure how it can be causing the clank. Could be that it is coming apart, but the transmission will need to be pulled to know for sure. I'm also curious about the details of the accident mentioned above. Was it a collision or a drop? Was the bike moving at speed and suddenly stopped? How fast was it moving? Did it stop suddenly? Some accidents can put huge strains on the drive train. Was this one of them?