1989 Custom Softail FXSTC. Just installed a new starter on this bike and I cannot get the jackshaft bolt to tighten up. Shop manual says to hold the pinion gear in position and tighten the jackshaft bolt to 7-9 ft-lbs. I can only get it to snug up. Once it gets snug, it feels like the shaft that it screws into is turning with it. I'm looking at the shop manual picture and I have the parts in the right order and I have the woodruff key installed, but the jackshaft bolt will only tighten up finger tight. If I bump the starter, the jackshaft bolt comes loose. What am I missing? How do I get this bolt to tighten down? Thanks in advance.

 

If its a 89 be sure you are using the the 89 starter and jackshaft and not a 90.
Check the orientation of the pinion gear , be sure the lock plate tab and woodruff key are in the slot.

 

89-93 starters had 1/4 20 thread in the shaft where the jackshaft bolts in...94-06 starters had 10-32 thread...many aftermarket starters have both threads and require a longer than stock bolt to use the smaller thread....are you sure your bolt matches your starter?

 

I think I found the problem. The shop manual shows a coupler that fits over the splined end of the jackshaft and the splined end of the starter shaft where they come together. I'm missing that part. Must have dropped somewhere when I took it apart. The search is on.

 

Are you by any chance using a a clymer manual. The manual that I have that is a clymer shows the parts reversed for assembly which is an error. Took me awhile to figure it out when assembling the starter jackshaft

 

I went back out to the shop one last time to look for that missing coupler. I tried rotating the back tire and noticed it was binding up. Kept rocking it back and forth and all of a sudden heard something drop on the shop floor. Sure enough, it was the missing coupler. Got everything back together now. It must have fell down in between the belt and front sprocket.

 

I've found a part or two that way myself!!!

 

I was surprised how many items I found on the rear of my trans, when I took the rear fender off!

Well done Ultra - we've been looking around for ya!

 

Been busy. I did pick up a 2010 Ultra Classic last month. Got wet and cold right after I bought it. Haven't had a chance to ride it much. Keeping both of my Evos though, no matter what.