My XL1200R sportster started getting harder and harder to crank lately, and would often make a loud grinding noise (which I assume was the starter) upon starting. Though now will no longer crank, but only clicks a few times. I replaced the battery just to be able to rule that out as the problem. Ran a diagnostic check, which displayed None for each category. It has 34,650 miles on it. Can I safely assume the starter has gone out, and is it difficult to change out?

 

Barry, as an aside, take your battery off and recharge it fully, to give it a good start in life, while sorting things out. I know they are sold as 'fully charged' when new, but that isn't the case very often. That will also ensure it gives it's best when you next try to start your bike.

The grinding noise is quite possibly the starter clutch, which is an integral part of the starter. It can be replaced, which is well worth doing if the starter is otherwise OK. The clicks are the starter relay and that usually indicates that battery power is low.

Let us know what works (or doesn't!) when your battery is fully charged. In the mean time a factory service manual is a great investment, if you don't have one. It details getting at your starter plus a lot of other stuff you will find fascinating!

 

Will do...thanks! What do you think about this article? It seems easy enough, and pretty cheap from what I've seen, to try.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7944996_harl...tructions.html

 

first do what grbrown says...then if it still doesn't start ..pull the starter..its not rocket science, the link you sent should get you there...don't forget to disconnect the battery before working on the starter...also check to make sure the starter is tight to the bike, if it get a little loose it can loose its ground and not work....a lot of the time if you take the starter and solenoid apart and clean it up real good including the contacts in the solenoid it will work like new..while you have it apart don't forget to ohm the windings on starter and solenoid to make sure they are not bad...

 

Recharged the new battery overnight, and it then started up again. My buddy that owns a shop nearby told me to let it sit a day or so and try again, though, to see if something may be causing the battery to drain or possibly a fluke that it started again once. Will let you guys know how it turns out. Thanks!

 

That's great news! Fingers crossed that the battery holds up.