Which is exactly what I thought it was but you said "Evo owner pop quiz" and its not an Evo part so a pox on ye sirrah, thee and thy misquotes and other tomfoolery...wait hence for ye "click of death" as a penance for thy wickedness.....

 

Alignment tool for FLT ignitions?

 

That's what I think as well, but I would just use a small screwdriver. Instead of buying one of those buttons, drill a small hole in the existing cover and plug it with a screw, when you have trouble remove the screw and push the screwdriver in to start..

DS

 

Looks like the tool HD sells for holding back the chain cams on a twin cam.

 

Extended reach nose picking tool?

;')

 

lock for an emergency replacement belt?

 

Wow, there are some creative answers out there. Booker was closest.

It's a tool I made to stick through the starter solenoid cap and push on the solenoid plunger on the odd occasion that I get the dreaded click. My solenoid cover already had what looks like a factory hole in it that is perfect for giving the plunger a little nudge while pushing the start button.

I took an old, broken pair of medical scissors and cut one of the handles off, then shrunk wrapped the loop and I hang it on my key ring. I don't get the dreaded click very often, but when I do I just poke the starter with this and all is well.

Yesterday I went to the dealership that helped me do the over-the-counter engine reman to get the bike inspected, as well as have the timing checked. The mechanic assigned to my bike looked younger, but friendly. He hopped on my bike and it fired right up for him, and he pulled it inside and put it up on the rack. A little while later I walked back out the service entrance to go have a smoke and I noticed the same mechanic approaching my bike with a big rubber mallet! I then stood there watching as he proceeded to push the starter button, then start smacking my starter with the mallet!

I yelled over to him "whoa! would you like the right tool for the job?" as I held up my poker.

He stopped swinging the mallet, looked up at me with a dumb look on his face and went "huh?"

So I walked over, told him to hit the button as I poked the tool into the solenoid and the bike fired right up. I told him that I was surprised he didn't know about that since it was a common problem with the older Evos.

He then said "that's because we fix them RIGHT!"

To which I replied "how, by throwing a $600 starter at the problem?" Then I handed him the poker tool in case he needed it again, turned around and walked out for my smoke.

All went well, it passed inspection and the timing I managed to get really close when I put it back together. My wifey-to-be and I went out from there to put another 100 miles on it running out through the mountains.

I just thought it was funny that the mechanic thought beating on the starter would help... LOL! So I guess in a way, I don't have kick start, jump start or even electric start, my bike's a POKE START! LMAO!

 

Anybody shed some light as to why this is? I have to use my solenoid push button every once in a while. I've checked, cleaned and greased absolutely everything too.

 

As I understand it, there is somewhere around 28 feet of wiring, switches and connectors between the battery and the solenoid. Over time, natural deterioration of the connections and wiring decreases the amount of current flowing through them. Also the coil that gets energized to pull the solenoid plunger weakens over time as well. Adding a relay to the system can help by wiring it so that it controls a heavier gauge wire run straight from the battery + to the starter solenoid. This will feed the solenoid more current, thereby allowing it to do it's job easier.

I just haven't gotten around to actually doing this yet! LOL!

 

Yes, I would like to know too what the root of the problem is.
Yesterday it was actually a reverse for me - the bike didn't fire , I held the starter a bit longer, and then when I even switched the ignition off, the starter was still trying to turn the engine! And guess what - I had to run for a rubber mallet (which helped btw)!
I checked the plunger after, but didn't find anything wrong. Nevertheless, using the solenoid door button since... And carrying the mallet in my saddlebag!