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Actually it was a midyear change...an 89 could have either setup depending on the build date...
I have never heard that...
I`ve been buying parts for my bike for over 31 years, there is only part number (inner primary cover) in my parts manuals for 1989 Softail, and that part number is only compatible with the modern starter used in `89 and later.
`89 is its own part number, changes again for `90.
`87 and `88 share a different part number inner primary cover (according to my `87-`90 parts manual).
The starter motors called out for `89 and `90 are the same part number.
The build date on my `89 Softail is `10-`88.
I`ve owned it since new.
It has the modern configuration...
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Apr 14, 2020 at 07:15 PM.
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