Can a 2005 starter be installed on a 1989 bike? Bike is a softail.

 

Interestingly, all the major parts for the 2005 starter are dated 1990, according to Ronnies parts website. Which suggests you may be unlucky, so lets see what the other chaps have to say.

 

I believe the inner primary cover is different were the starter bolts on, I know some people have modified to get it to work or change primary covers to newer style

 

and then the I believe the ring gear is larger on the primary 94 and up so you would probably need a newer style clutch primary and longer primary chain and probably a compensator because the primary gearing is different, if you used newer primary covers

 

Looked into this, since not alot of response here. The starter bolts on directly. The 1990 coupling, drive pinion bolt, and lock washer has to be used.
The one thing that won't bolt on is the chrome cover. I had to make a bracket to keep it , not that big a deal.
Back in business.

 

Deleted....

 

V-Twins & Bowties:

The `05 starter fit into the opening in the inner primary cover ok?

I have always thought the opening size changed in the `90`s...

Another `89 Softail owner

 

cool!! good to know, glad you got it to work,so basally you could use the 1990 starter coupling on a newer starter down to 1984-85?

 

No.......

1988 and earlier use a different starter configuration, `89 and later are not compatible with the earlier setup.

 

ok got ya, I was thinking the old starter configuration of 84-85 went threw to 92-93