So I have been actively searching previous threads on this question I am about to ask. So I did research through here, other forums, the service manual, videos. I cannot seem to find my answer in any of them or the symptoms I am having...so here it goes.

I recently decided to get started upgrading and changing my 2009 Dyna Super Glide Custom 19K miles . I went ahead and changed my compensator to a screaming eagle compensator, chain driven, lower shocks, new rocker gaskets (had a leak figure I replace them all), fresh oil all around, Barnett HD clutch plate (plan on 107 at the end of 2020), Power Vision, Bassani RR v1, etc.
I basically did a whole make over and replaced everything that needed replaced or changed to my liking. Now the other part I swapped out was my starter clutch (Bendix) to an All-***** "Racing" clutch. Reason being was my old 09 street bob had the good ol' grind and kick and this bike did when I bought it originally. I am no stranger to getting into the starter. I will chalk it up to me having bad luck with them!

So I get everything installed and the bike runs great no issues, no codes, just about a day ago I go to take the bike back home from work and I just hear the starter spinning. So I start checking my cables on battery, ground connections, push button connection all is good. I hold down the start button again and the starter is just spinning and the longer I held it the bike eventually turned over so I went immediately home. Now mind you again It was running find the previous weeks no issues strong start up. I get home pull the battery and pull the starter. Check to see if maybe I installed the clutch (Bendix) incorrectly. I checked and it operates as should only moving one way and pulls out when pulled on. I checked my cables for corrosion all clean and even sanded some of them just to be sure. So I re-assemble, thinking maybe it was a fluke. I go to start the bike and I get one loud Click when I go to start, no spinning motor, just a loud click. Once again I pull the starter out.

This time I go to do a bench test and check all my fuses and relays. Relays click as should when tested. I began bench testing the starter itself. I tested the starter with my battery which I put on charge and it spins and pops out signaling to me it cant be a power issue going to the starter (I could be wrong). So I put it back on and figure go get my battery tested since my starter is functioning as should. I go find my battery is tested bad and buy a new one. Come home today and put it in and the same loud click noise. Tried the rocking back and forth, checked the solenoid and there isn't very much wear even sanded points of contact. I am at a complete loss here. I cannot for the life of me figure it out, is it just my starter is dead or am I missing something.

Steps taken summary:
Checked Relays - good clicks
Fuses - Good
Replaced Battery w/ New - good old tested bad
Bench Tested Starter - good spins and actuates
Checked Solenoids - looked good and sanded to be sure
Check Ground and Power Cable for Corrosion - good sanded to be sure

I am at a complete loss here and wanna see what everyone says before I take that plunge into a new starter.

 

New battery...full charge?

What is the voltage drop at the battery when the start button is pressed?

Don`t go out and buy a starter...

 

So I posted this about a week ago I have purchased a solenoid rebuild kit that is the only thing through my inspection that was the only thing that look anywhere near needing replaced. I will get it tomorrow install and see what happens.

 

So kind of an update. If anyone else has this issue. Starter was dead got a new one no issues since.

 

What exactly do you mean by starter was dead?

The symptom you described was the starter was spinning, but not engaging...

 

klicklac, I might have similar issue with my 2009 Low Rider. Starter still spins but won't engage flywheel from the sound of it but before that it was real hard to turn the engine over the last 3 or 4 times starting it. Starting 41 years ago I rebuilt starters for 6 years, mostly cars, truck, industrial equipment, trains, planes, whatever. Back then the Japanese starters looked a lot like the Harley starters. Anyway, what I remember in my fuzzy old damaged brain is sometimes they bench test sounded fine but put a load on it and nothing or very little. The high-tech way we bench tested for a starter under load was to take the wooden end of a hammer and with two hands push it against the bendix kinda hard while starter is energized and clamped in a vise of course.

Thanks for posting your message, it help my brain get through the detours to the old memories to diagnose the problem I hope. I'm getting kinda old and tired of wrenching. I wonder what the dealership will charge to remove and replace the starter while thay have it in to also change out most of the fuel tank guts which I already purchased? Any idea how long they say the labor is?

 

Busted starter clutch is what it sounds like. Even though you checked it by hand, and it seemed to work properly, the force required to turn over the engine would be much more than what you could apply by hand.

I'm very familiar with this issue. Reaper used to eat starter clutches regularly. One year she chewed up 4 of them. I finally figured out that the ignition was programmed to fire after only 1 revolution of the engine, and due to the motor being built up to 98 ci with 10.5:1 compression, it would regularly kick back while starting, and eventually, it would break the one-way clutch inside the starter. I programmed the ignition to wait 2 revolutions to fire,and haven't had the problem since.

Anyway, I also use the AllBalls Racing clutch as well, since it's beefier than the stock HD one.

Cheers!

 

Changed all cables with new ones and still had same problem of two cranks then quit. Old battery tested good, but replaced with new battery. Problem still existed. Replaced new battery with another new battery and now it works. Maybe the second new battery has more cranking amps….hahaha….not sure since I returned the previous new battery. Anywho, all is well now and it has many new parts. Even though this bike has sentimental value, since it belonged to my late brother, It is up to my nephew if he should upgrade or not. Like I said before it does have 131k miles. My brother loved to ride!!! It is a nice looking/running bike, but there are other minor Gremlins poking out their heads.