Problems with my "new" bike

So I'm having a issue with my new to me ride, 2004 tc450 with electric start. Now the issue is with the electric start itself, intermittent engagement. Sometimes I hit the button and it engages the motor and cranks perfectly. Then sometimes I hit the start button and it doesn't engage the motor and just spins free. So the starter is spinning free but not cranking the engine, is there something going on inside that starter? Also sometimes the starter will engage and they stay stuck, it won't release and I will go to kick it over and I feel/hear the starter spinning with the kick starter. so anybody know what it is or how to fix it? Sorry if this is the wrong forum to post this, I'm newish here trying to soak up some of the knowledge floating around. Thank you

There is a clutch for the starter inside the clutch cover that may be going bad.

Is that the one way clutch/bearing I keep hearing about?

So I think I may have found a solution, I took apart the side case and took out the freewheel, one way, or sprag (sprague) gear/bearing. I found the garter spring that holds it all together to be toast, apparently by the pictures from other threads this is 99% of the time what happens. So I went to my local auto parts store and asked to see all of their oil seals in search of a new spring (same type of spring)...well I think I found one, it fits perfectly and I'm going to put it all back together today. I will let you guys know if it works as well as what part the spring is from on a car so you can find the springs yourselfs and get back out in the trails easier haha.

Is there spark? i am having a similar issue on my 06' smr510. Not the staying stuck part, but the whole trying to turn over but not cranking thing... i have no spark so i've been looking at the condition of the wiring to no avail but i haven't done any ohm readings yet because i need to find or compile a complete list of proper readings from different areas but i've been too swamped with work and home life to make much process. keep us posted!

No spark, check kill switch and wiring to it. Also check your plug cap ohms should be under 5k of its close then replace it unless it's one of those horrid sealed coil pack type ones then burn it.

No intent to be a wet blanket, but those freewheel systems on the hva require a new and expensive part. My 250 has no more e start and is a pita to kick start when hot. I hope the spring will fix yours

I had the same issue on my 2010 TE310. A garter spring from any seal with a 50mm inside diameter works a treat.
The cause of the garter Spring stretching is apparently backfiring. So check your valve clearances and throttle position sensor calibration ( for EFI bikes ) if your bike is backfiring.

If you do need a complete new clutch, they are a "standard" item made by an OEM and available from other manufacturers such as Honda.

Let us know how it goes....