Hey all, how hard is it to replace a starter on my '98 Wide Glide. Briefly read the manual but thought I would check in here. 2 hours...........6 hours?????
Anything to look out for? Thanks in advance!

 

If it's your first time doing it I would say closer to six hours. Plan for the worst

 

I always plan for the worst!!!!!! I know the primary cover needs to come off, does the clutch basket need to come off too?

 

No you can do it with the clutch basket in place.

 

Thanks y'all, I'll get after it mid week. And I just had that cover off to adjust the primary chain, new gasket comin up........

 

Remove battery and battery tray, use a long extension on your ratchet, like at least 12" long. Clears all the other stuff in the way. Uses allen/socket head bolts, but can't remember the size? A set of allen/hex head wrench sockets on your 3/8 or 1/2 extension make life easy. YD

 

They make reusable primary gaskets. I suggest you get them, this way you don't have to keep buying a new one when you got to go in primary...

 

^^^^this^^^^

AFM (aluminum foam matt) are reusable and very good at sealing whatever you use them on.

 

Just to learn.
How did you confirm the starter required replacement and it was not a power to starter issue ?
Are there a lot of miles on the bike or does it have a high compression motor?

 

This is my question as well. Last time I had to replace a starter on a HD was in 1987 on a cursed 1979 XLH. Before you go crazy, what makes you think you need to change it at all?