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Starting problem 1987 FLHTP

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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 08:34 AM
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Default Starting problem 1987 FLHTP

Problem, replaced the stator & starter clutch, assembled and now engine will not turn over .5 revolution or less , barely moves. I did not remove the inner primary, only the outer primary

1987 Flhtp, bought it from a guy who put in a new Revtech 100 3rd gen and the bike still has the original 5 spd tranny. I have a 1.4kv All ***** starter, new ground & positive cables with 4ga 1800 multi-strand wires, new starter relay, new solenoid & 380ca battery. The starter & battery were in the bike last year and the bike started every time with no problem, I put 9k miles on last year. Last year the bike exhibited starter clutch issues so pulled it apart this winter and replaced, also replaced the stator while I was in there as it was pretty burnt up. Re-assembled everything torqued to specs, filled with fluid, new 380 CA Thundervolt battery fully charged and load tested at 400ca, new 1.4kv All ***** starter and new solenoid.

Hit the starter button, relay clicks, solenoid plunges and starter clutch gear engages with ring gear but the engine barely moves. This setup rolled that motor over no problem last year so I think it must be something I have done wrong during assembly.

When I re-installed the clutch basket it spun freely in neutral until I torqued the conpensating sprocket, could I have binding with the sliding cam or is it possible to over torque? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Wondered if anyone has had this happen to them or has a suggestion? I am going to sell this bike as I also have a newer cop bike that is my daily rider but there is no point listing it if it does not start.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 08:58 AM
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I just read a great thread on chain tension, When I took it apart the chain sagged a lot so I adjusted during assembly so that there was approx 0.5" sag. It seemed tight so I will add more sag and see if that helps.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 12:40 PM
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1990 107" FLHS here, with original 5-speed. It may be that you have a tight spot in your primary chain (which is normal), so find that, then adjust to correct sag at that point.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by grbrown
1990 107" FLHS here, with original 5-speed. It may be that you have a tight spot in your primary chain (which is normal), so find that, then adjust to correct sag at that point.
Thank you for your advice, I am going to have a go at it tonight & fingers crossed that fixes it!
 
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 06:25 PM
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Well I found the tight spot and my original setting for the chain was too tight so I adjusted the tension so there is 5/8" sag at the tight spot, actually added a bit to be safe. Hit the starter and it still would not turn over so now I am not really sure what to do. I used the impact to remove and install the nut on the end of the crank holding the conpensating sprocket & sliding cam. Question: is the sliding cam supposed to be able to move once torqued because mine is tight, could this be the problem?
 
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 06:47 PM
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Is it possible the conpensating sprocket is bad, do these fail and if yes would that stop the bike from turning over?
 
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by riff-raff
Well I found the tight spot and my original setting for the chain was too tight so I adjusted the tension so there is 5/8" sag at the tight spot, actually added a bit to be safe. Hit the starter and it still would not turn over so now I am not really sure what to do. I used the impact to remove and install the nut on the end of the crank holding the conpensating sprocket & sliding cam. Question: is the sliding cam supposed to be able to move once torqued because mine is tight, could this be the problem?

Removing it is fine but those things have a torque spec for a reason.
It could be you over torqued it.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 08:26 AM
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engine will still not turn over, tries but only rotates 1/4 turn. Today I will disconnect the battery then replace the ground strap between the engine & tranny case, also the the new All ***** starter 1.4kv came with a spacer for the solenoid so will install that as welll. Going to put the bike back on the stand so the rear tire is off the ground and hand turn the back tire while it is in gear so that I can verify the engine is able to roll over. I don't think the conpensator sprocket could hinder the bike from turning over as it is sitting on the splines on the crank so i am going to leave that alone for now. For some reason the starter cannot roll the bike over, maybe there is binding on the jackshaft? Hard to check with this setup as the outer primary needs to be on because the jackshaft bearing is in the case. I will put 13.8v from the battery direct to the starter and see what happens, if it still cannot roll over the engine then that should indicate that something is binding between the the starter gear and the ring gear. That is today's tasks, hopefully the problem comes to light so I can fix it.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 08:38 AM
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Mine was doing that, but if I just let up on the button and hit it again, it would crank over and start. I got a new battery, didn't help, didn't need it. Had the starter rebuilt, fixed it 99.9% of the time. Every now and then, it will do the err thing and stop, and I have to hit the button again.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 10:17 AM
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my old FLHTP did the same thing every now and then. Never did figure it out, but then again, I never tried to......
 
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