so......i had a sticking solenoid on my 89 electra, and so i drilled and installed a pushbutton for those times when i get the "dreaded click". it works, looks decent too. the question i have is: has anyone ever replaced the spring in there with another, same size, same length, just a lighter push? this thing is horribly tough to push in, even with a decent size ball **** on it. wonder if maybe it would work better from the handle bar switch too, if it didnt take so much to pull it in against that spring?

what say the experts??

thanks again
irydasteelhorse

 

It's been tried, didn't work the solenoid would stick on occasion.

 

It interesting that your 89 starter is not that different then my 04 that has a kit for about $60 to totally rebuild the solenoid including both contacts and misc nuts and spacers. Why is the 89 so different. I see one part on bike bandit that appears to be the magnetic switch which appears to be it but its over $200. The whole starter is only $340. What's the big difference?

 

You can try to push the button you added while you are also pushing the start button on the handle bars, it will make it much easier to push.

 

Rebuilt my solenoid in May, this weekend I had the click come back. Now I'm kicking myself for not putting in a new starter. I have a small ball pein hammer in my saddlebag to give it a gentle tap and that usually helps it start.

Just my experience ....