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I have a 1973 Shovelhead that works fine but when I bought it it was kickstart only.
I noticed that there was a starter motor and solenoid on the bike.
There was no connection from the starter button (missing) to the solenoid
also there was not cable from the battery .positive terminal to the starter motor.
I thought no problem great I will just install the heavy duty cable from battery (+) to the solenoid the setup a button start to the small terminal.
Sounds simple enough right..
As soon as I went to connect the cable from the battery (+) to the large lug on the solenoid it arcs/shorts.
Has anyone had this before? is it the solenoid that is shorting ?
Can I take the solenoid out and replace it without removing the outer primary casing?
Thanks for any help or advice.
You have to remove the primary cover as that solenoid is a dual coil solenoid one coil pulls the contactor in to make the electrical connection from the battery to the starter the other side operates a lever in the primary to pull the bendix out engaging the starter to the ring gear.
You have to remove the primary cover as that solenoid is a dual coil solenoid one coil pulls the contactor in to make the electrical connection from the battery to the starter the other side operates a lever in the primary to pull the bendix out engaging the starter to the ring gear.
Why do you need to remove the primary? The lever is connected to a plunger which is magnetically pulled in to the solenoid. Don't recall ever having to pull a primary to change a solenoid on any of my bikes. If there are other types of solenoids can you post up a link so I can educate myself? I've had this style solenoid on every shovel I ever owned. https://www.jpcycles.com/product/380...arter-solenoid Thanks.
I did take the primary off to see what is happening - appears that the Bendix on the starter motor shaft is hitting the stop before engaging the ring gear around the clutch basket. So question is what is wrong ? is it the starter or the shaft or the Bendix or the clutch basket? the way it is the Bendix will never engage. See photos of how the stop is parallel to the ring gear. Know I know why the starter was not connected. Did previous owner change the clutch or the starter motor or even the primary housing (inner or outer). Stop will not allow Bendix to engage gear Stop aligns with ring gear Note - battery is disconnected - Safety first
Can you take a picture of the bendix arm fully deployed? Is the arm hitting the primary (that's the full stop) or is there still a gap? Is the clutch basket fully seated? Should be next to no gap between it and the ineer primary.
Appears to be a little travel left in the arm - hard to tell as it hits the stop first - clutch basket is fully seated - it looks like if the stop was half as deep the Bendix would engage.
Attached is the photo of my other shovelhead a 1980 and the Bendix stop is correct. My 1980 Shovelhead shows the Bendix stop to the outer side of the ring gear so the Bendix engages OK
Well guys it took longer than I thought - but I was not in a rush. Now my starter works great - I took everything off starter/clutch basket etc.
Appears that someone replaced the clutch and did not get the key back in properly on the shaft in the clutch hub center, also the was only one small cir-clip on the clutch hub threaded fingers (5) so that too was out of alignment, and lastly the there was a large metal chain guard under the stater motor behind the inner primary that appears to have been stopping the starter motor from going in flush to the inner casing.
All of these combined made it so the Bendix would hit the stop on the shaft before engaging the clutch basket ring gear.
Now I have that fixed I need to start on the electronic ignition - then hopefully get the bike running.
I am not familiar with electronic ignition only the only contacts etc.
There is a feed to the coil but no spark at the plugs?
When I tested there was a spark when I turned the ignition off - but not when turning the engine over.
Has anyone seen this before?
Thanks guys
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Battery to starter cable shorting
Update on starter problem
