back again with another small issue.
i went to start my 72 flh the other day and all i got was free spinning.
i turned of the ignition to remedy this, but it was still turning over.
i have had this issue with another bike and i worked out that it was the battery in that case......but this ol' harley has a brand new battery....so it not that.
i suspect it might be the starter solenoid, but im no expert....
i will have a closer look at it in a couple of days, but in the mean time, i thought i could put it past some of the folks out there that might have had similar issues...............and who might throw in some direction.....cheers met

 

If the starter gear is meshing into the clutch basket ring gear and not turning the engine over the problem could be a bad starter drive gear These gears should only turn in one direction if is turning in both directions the internal clutch is bad and a new starter drive gear is needed cost wise about $40 US

 

Starter clutch...starter drive...bendix...somebody didn't get the memo that this part should only have one name.

More than likely your problem...trying to turn it both directions with you hand is no test...even if you can only turn it one direction, doesn't mean it will work well enough to start the engine.