EVO All Evo Model Discussion

continual starter problems '85 FLH

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 2, 2009 | 07:54 AM
  #1  
calex3517's Avatar
calex3517
Thread Starter
|
Stage I
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default continual starter problems '85 FLH

'85 FLH 80" w/higher compression has been thru 5 starter drives and 3 starters in less than 1000 miles. Will start the bike appx 15 times before mashing the leading edge of the starter drive teeth, continued use will then take out the starter shaft teeth. Have replaced starter, bull gear, starter drive, throwout fork and have installed the shimming washer.

Any thoughts?

My only thought: bike has custom outer primary - might the outter starter drive bearing hole be out of position???? if so, how can that be determined? Any particular measurement to take??

At wits end and running out of time, $$ & patience.
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2009 | 09:11 AM
  #2  
Dr.Hess's Avatar
Dr.Hess
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Default

What does the ring gear on the clutch basket look like? I would change that out. You have an aftermarket outer primary. That is a potential source of problems too. I don't know how to check the alignment on that, short of pulling the inner and outer and looking at it that way with a shaft stuck in and seeing if it is all centered. Are there different teeth per inch ring gears and/or starter gears? I don't know. It sounds like someone has been in there and seriously swapped stuff around. When in doubt, go back to OEM.

Only 15 starts per set indicates something seriously wrong.
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2009 | 10:23 PM
  #3  
Rob85WG's Avatar
Rob85WG
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 282
Likes: 7
From: Southern MD
Default starter

My 85 FXWG starter gear went out but not due to grinding. It started to spin freely when I pressed the starter button. I replaced it with an accel from JP. Works fine now.

Sounds like the jack shaft is positioned too close due to the outer primary. There should be a locating pin in the front of the primary to prevent an ill fit between inner and outer covers. Is the pin missing?

Maybe your solenoid isn't pushing the gear out all the way. Try inspecting,cleaning,geasing or replacing it to see if it fixes the grinding.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jtyson
Shovelhead
3
Jul 21, 2015 03:40 AM
chromalox
Shovelhead
2
Mar 6, 2014 09:28 PM
Dyna7
EVO
27
Jul 1, 2012 06:56 PM
95 Ultra
EVO
5
Mar 31, 2012 06:12 PM
montana dan
Exhaust System Topics
1
May 15, 2007 11:39 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:25 PM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE