Starter turns, spins freely, but won't engage the primary...... Gave the starter a few raps with the hammer to see of something was stuck, no dice. Am I gonna have to crack open the primary, or does someone have a quick fix. It's a 1990 FXST 80" evo (duh)

I have a service manual, but really not sure where to start

 

Probably the starter clutch or the jackshaft retaining bolt has come loose.

 

My web research is pointing toward that? Easy fix, or pain in the ****?

 

Depends on your pain threshold....neither are particularly difficult.

 

I'm gonna tear off the outer primary tomorrow...... Starting with the simple **** first, gonna charge the battery, maybe I have decent voltage, but crap amperage..... Never know, but with my luck, I'm sure it's a little more involved. It's been intermittent in the last few weeks, but now it looks like the problem is here to stay. It started right up the other day after sitting for a month though.....

 

Bad battery will give the "dreaded click" spinning starter is usually starter clutch...did one last week.

 

And.............?

 

Fixed with new parts...its what I do... The starter clutch is the same as some Toyota starters but not sure its any cheaper that way,

 

Starter clutch is my guess. I did 2 on my FLHTP.

Not hard, just lots of remove and replace.

 

It was the jackshaft screw....... There's a flat washer with a tab (lock washer) that broke off........ So, I ordered a "spyke" jackshaft kit and a new gasket....... All should be good.