So I've been having starter issues this week, and ordered a replacement today. It''s been spinning when I hit the button, but it doesn't usually engage. If I tap on it and keep trying, it'll start the bike eventually.

But I went to start it this afternoon, and when I hit the start button nothing happened. Nothing at all. The light stayed on, there was no click, no sound, absolutely nothing. Is the starter just completely fried now? Or do I have a bigger issue?

 

Maybe.. it'd be nice to know more about what you have...How long and How many miles on it

it sounds a lot like my bike when I needed a new battery.. and that fixed my problems...

 

Many starters have been replaced...

When all along, it was actually a low battery.

 

What year bike ?

 

I'm riding a custom rigid with an Evo Big Twin. I know it's not the battery because I just put a new one. She's measuring 12 volts when turned off. However I found my problem, and it was the starter relay. I bought a new one a while back when I had electrical issues in my ignition system, but took it back off while troubleshooting. I put the new one and she went back to how she's been.

And I'm almost positive it's the starter as you can hear the bendix spinning but not engaging when she wont start. If I'm patient and I tap on the starter, she'll crank eventually. It's just getting worse and worse, so I'm replacing the whole starter. I found one at JP that's black so it fits great. Hopefully I'll get it today and be back to running strong tomorrow. I'll post another update once it's installed. 😀

 

Sounds like it was just the starter clutch. If you already have a new starter, put it in, but change out the starter clutch in the old one and you have a working spare.

 

Said it for me, Starter clutches fail more often than the electric motor does. Anywhere for m $60 on up (EBay.)

 

Excellent advice! I'm always looking for an opportunity to learn something new, so this starter will be my next project.