Starter Screeching

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Just bought a ‘94 XJ600 from a guy and when trying to start makes a horrible grinding/screeching noise. I figured it was the starter so I ordered one off eBay. Got it on and no dice, still screeching at me. His trick was yanking the bike backwards in gear to “reset the starter” and it works occasionally. Any idea what else it could be? I’m about to just take it to shop and say “fix it”.