I have a 1989 ultra classic, when starting latley the starter has been staying on for a couple seconds after the engine fires, now it is making a rubbing noise after it disengages. Once in a while when I try to start it just a click noise and it wont turn over, if I get a jumper wire out and jump from battery to starter it spins and then after that it starts up. Should I get a new starter or is starter clutch bad?

 

Try replacing the battery first

 

I did, problem only started this season. I should say I replaced my stock 80" with an ultima 80" last winter, never had this problem before with stock motor...but it had 140,000 miles, still ran strong but leaked like a siv.

 

How about the starter relay

 

For my old 89..

If Battery is good - I check both battery cables to be tight and clean. Also make sure grounding strap from Lower back bolt of inner primary to the frame is clean and grounded well.
Then I take starter button on handlebar apart and inspect for burnt or wear, shoot some electircal cleaner in it...

If after all of that, it is still hanging up, pull the starter from primary, clean it , inspect it , make sure the jack shaft and the spacer get put back in right order...

This has worked for mine all these years.. Best of luck !

 

it's either:

1. starter relay
2. bendix is getting stuck and needs to be lubed up
3. solenoid
4. starter is blown

i would replace in that order

i had this happen but it would never disengage it would run until it drained the battery and it turned out to be the starter, i got one off ebay for $80.

 

It could also be the jack shaft that is hanging up. if you replace it make sure you put the 3/8" ball bearing in, it likes to ride along inside the jack shaft until your not looking then falls out, little bitch.

 

Weak bendix spring or shaft needs clean and lube - and everything else listed above.

 

I had that problem on my '89 Softail when I bought it new, it was the ignition module, after trying numerous differeNt fixes. I ended up putting 124k mi. on that bike by the time I traded itr in 17 yrs later... (for $500 less than I paid new BTW).

 

I will try all of these things listed, thanks. I hope she holds up I am headed to Laconia, N.H. bike week for sun, fun and beverages.