I had the exact same problem with the starter on my gst. I was able to fix it with doing a real good thorough cleaning. I found the reduction gears were all gummed up with 20+ years of crud as well as the armeture & yoke assembly. Don't use any solvent when cleaning because it can damage the electrical insulations. This didn't require any new part purchases & all is well after a couple years now. Lastly do not loose the little steel ball in the back end of the motor housing cover.

Are the teeth on the starter drive gear and the flywheel good??? if they are then likely your one way bearing in your starter drive is going bad/slipping, or your engine is kicking back which will disengage your starter drive.

I agree with a cleaning, sounds like the solenoid connections are dirty and it's not keeping the Bendix pushed out.

motomattx said:

Are the teeth on the starter drive gear and the flywheel good??? if they are then likely your one way bearing in your starter drive is going bad/slipping, or your engine is kicking back which will disengage your starter drive.

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The engine does not appear to be kicking back? What would cause that? Like a misfire from off timing?

Timing off, both ignition or cam timing will cause kickback as will being way to lean.

Buy a Denso starter and be done with it.