1997 FLHRI Not starting
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
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From: Haslet Texas
Nevermind that last post. I managed to get it out without removing the clutch. Stupid manuals. RTFM can kiss my ***. I figured it out. So now off to get the starter tested. The starter clutch or rod whatever you want to call it seems to be completely serviceable. So it will remain.
Let us know what you find.
I live just west of Austin (between oak hill and dripping springs) so if you need a hand let me know.
Mike
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
I have heard starters buzz, cleaned the crud off the battery terminals and re-tightened them, and everything worked like it should.
Before the major tear down I would have considered it to be a voltage issue by checking my battery terminals, cleaning and being certain it was tight, along with all other main power connections. You can even take a voltage reading while engaging the starter, or add a second battery using jumper cables (do not attach to a running vehicle) to test this.
My next guess is the solenoid. Best wishes tracking it down.
Before the major tear down I would have considered it to be a voltage issue by checking my battery terminals, cleaning and being certain it was tight, along with all other main power connections. You can even take a voltage reading while engaging the starter, or add a second battery using jumper cables (do not attach to a running vehicle) to test this.
My next guess is the solenoid. Best wishes tracking it down.
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Austin, TX
Found out the problem. Starter clutch. After talking with a local shop, they advised that I take it to be rebuilt with brand new internals at a local place here that has done this very thing for 25 years.
He said he could replace the starter clutch but something else might fail in it as it is the original starter. This place warranties their work for 6 months. So I will be much better off than replacing everything or just the clutch which would be simple.
Thanks. Hope this helps someone else some day.
He said he could replace the starter clutch but something else might fail in it as it is the original starter. This place warranties their work for 6 months. So I will be much better off than replacing everything or just the clutch which would be simple.
Thanks. Hope this helps someone else some day.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Nah mate, stick new brushes in and a solenoid overhaul kit yourself....starter and generator rebuilds are a huge scam.
E.G Nissan Maxima overhauled starter motor is 280 bucks where I live.......set of brushes is 29 bucks, takes an hour to do including refitting motor.
E.G Nissan Maxima overhauled starter motor is 280 bucks where I live.......set of brushes is 29 bucks, takes an hour to do including refitting motor.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Spanner,
This is a '97 with the original parts.
Ever take the time to put brushes in an old starter and have to tear into it again when the bushings or windings come apart?
For reliability I'd upgrade the starter and not look back. Same with the clutch and solenoid if I knew they needed it.
From his description of it running but then only buzzing trying to restart during the ride, I know I wouldn't be in the primary when starting to check this issue.
And it sound like Bumper came to this conclusion by talking to a local shop. Has anyone even seen / inspected the parts yet?
I could be wrong but I believe to start simple before you rip the primary apart to fix a bad battery, or other possible charging system issues.
He never did say if he did any tests to get him to the starter clutch. In my experience they don't buzz, they chatter when going bad.
I guess we will know for sure when he hits the start button. It will either buzz again after riding, once the surface (re) charge fails to take a deep enough charge to start twice in a single ride, or work perfect.
Much respect to all, I just feel a few tests should have happened before pulling it all apart and coming to a conclusion. But what do we really know with out the bike in front of us?
Hope it's working for you soon!
This is a '97 with the original parts.
Ever take the time to put brushes in an old starter and have to tear into it again when the bushings or windings come apart?
For reliability I'd upgrade the starter and not look back. Same with the clutch and solenoid if I knew they needed it.
From his description of it running but then only buzzing trying to restart during the ride, I know I wouldn't be in the primary when starting to check this issue.
And it sound like Bumper came to this conclusion by talking to a local shop. Has anyone even seen / inspected the parts yet?
I could be wrong but I believe to start simple before you rip the primary apart to fix a bad battery, or other possible charging system issues.
He never did say if he did any tests to get him to the starter clutch. In my experience they don't buzz, they chatter when going bad.
I guess we will know for sure when he hits the start button. It will either buzz again after riding, once the surface (re) charge fails to take a deep enough charge to start twice in a single ride, or work perfect.
Much respect to all, I just feel a few tests should have happened before pulling it all apart and coming to a conclusion. But what do we really know with out the bike in front of us?
Hope it's working for you soon!
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Austin, TX
Thank you both Johnny and Spanner.
I came to this conclusion after ruling out the battery with a tester my neighbor had to determine battery charge. I left that out in my explanation. Tried to be thorough.
Have a friend that is a harley certified mechanic that I called up. He isn't always available and I like to do things on my own to learn. Have a lot of car repair experience but still learning about bikes.
So, I checked the bolt for the Starter Jackshaft to make sure it was connected properly and not broken. It was fine. As mentioned previously I tested the starter with the primary off to see if the starter jackshaft was extending into the clutch. It was. So that lead me to believe the solenoid was good. So that left me with the starter.
Pulled it. Took it to get it tested. The starter spinned both ways and there was grinding inside. The local shop advised two things. One they could replace the starter clutch as it was clearly broken. Or I could take it to a place that can replace all of the internal parts with new ones without having to buy an entirely new starter (which can be quite expensive in comparison to the replacement of internal parts). So with that sound advice that is the choice I made. Hopefully my woes will be over.
I came to this conclusion after ruling out the battery with a tester my neighbor had to determine battery charge. I left that out in my explanation. Tried to be thorough.
Have a friend that is a harley certified mechanic that I called up. He isn't always available and I like to do things on my own to learn. Have a lot of car repair experience but still learning about bikes.
So, I checked the bolt for the Starter Jackshaft to make sure it was connected properly and not broken. It was fine. As mentioned previously I tested the starter with the primary off to see if the starter jackshaft was extending into the clutch. It was. So that lead me to believe the solenoid was good. So that left me with the starter.
Pulled it. Took it to get it tested. The starter spinned both ways and there was grinding inside. The local shop advised two things. One they could replace the starter clutch as it was clearly broken. Or I could take it to a place that can replace all of the internal parts with new ones without having to buy an entirely new starter (which can be quite expensive in comparison to the replacement of internal parts). So with that sound advice that is the choice I made. Hopefully my woes will be over.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Its easy to go over the top and spend way too much money on fixing things that ain't broke yet...........
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Austin, TX
Agreed Spanner. As I recently bought this bike used with 63k miles on it for $5k I have no idea knowing the history of maintenance. I am just going by advice found here and elsewhere as well as consulting a local shop to make an educated decision on repairs.
You all have helped me a great deal in determining course of action. I will keep updated on how things go. Thank you very much again.
While I have the thing under service any other recommendations? Already changed oil/filter. Will change primary fluids once starter is returned. Going to do tranny fluid as well if it appears to need it. Also spark plugs and wires might as well be included. Other thoughts?
You all have helped me a great deal in determining course of action. I will keep updated on how things go. Thank you very much again.
While I have the thing under service any other recommendations? Already changed oil/filter. Will change primary fluids once starter is returned. Going to do tranny fluid as well if it appears to need it. Also spark plugs and wires might as well be included. Other thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
If you do all the oils you will know when they were done and that helps you plan your ongoing maintenance.
Plugs for sure, wires might be an indulgence, air filter is essential or get a K&N so you can clean it rather than replace.
That's all the preventative work it will need.....anything else is a breakdown ;-)
Plugs for sure, wires might be an indulgence, air filter is essential or get a K&N so you can clean it rather than replace.
That's all the preventative work it will need.....anything else is a breakdown ;-)