Trick to removing starter w/o removing oil tank?

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#11

03-23-2020, 04:54 AM

Mattbastard

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So when did Harley get their **** together regarding this? On my 01 RK I need to pull the starter to remove the inner primary.

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#12

03-23-2020, 07:04 AM

98hotrodfatboy

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They didn't..
And Dan is correct.... I have an extra long Allen wrench for the forward bolt and a swivel extra long Allen for the rear bolt.. No issues..

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#13

03-23-2020, 09:21 AM

Dan89FLSTC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattbastard

So when did Harley get their **** together regarding this? On my 01 RK I need to pull the starter to remove the inner primary.

You need to remove the mount bolts on the starter, but the starter can stay in place, but on a Bagger the starter is easy to take out one disconnected, gives you a chance to clean the cable connection points and inspect the solenoid contacts.

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#14

03-23-2020, 07:57 PM

Mattbastard

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 98hotrodfatboy

They didn't..
And Dan is correct.... I have an extra long Allen wrench for the forward bolt and a swivel extra long Allen for the rear bolt.. No issues..

Well, technically yes, I just removed the bolts and also had to pull all that bullshit on the end of the starter spline to get the inner primary off, but I was hoping at some point in their designs they made it so you didn't even have to touch anything about the starter to get the inner primary off. I ended up swapping my starter bolts with Grade 5 flange bolts so it's just as easy as an allen head bolt to remove.

Dare to dream, Harley...

Last edited by Mattbastard; 03-23-2020 at 07:58 PM.

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#15

03-24-2020, 06:52 AM

98hotrodfatboy

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The one thing I don't understand is why didn't the MOCO thread the starter housing and drill the inner primary.. Bolted from the inner primary side.. Wouldn't that been a little easier...??

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#16

03-24-2020, 08:40 AM

Dan89FLSTC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 98hotrodfatboy

The one thing I don't understand is why didn't the MOCO thread the starter housing and drill the inner primary.. Bolted from the inner primary side.. Wouldn't that been a little easier...??

If the bolts were turned around it would make it more difficult to seal that area to keep the lube from oozing out...maybe.

There is a lot of webbing in that area, maybe that is another reason.

I really have learned to dislike (a mild way to put it) the starter/oil tank relationship on the old Softails.

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; 03-24-2020 at 08:48 AM.

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#17

03-24-2020, 10:12 AM

LenBoyLo

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Getting the starter out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by extremeshot

Got a 2008/2011 Softail. Does anyone have a trick to removing the starter without having to remove the damn oil tank?

If you've wrenched it before you know there are two bolts that hold it to the back of the inner primary. The front bolt I can get to relatively easily..but the bolt under the oil tank is a bitch! I can't get at it straight on with an extension because of all the crap under the oil tank (lines, etc). And if you take the battery out and try to get at it from above you can't get any stroke.

If you have a trick to getting it off without removing the oil tank, I'm assuming it involves some kind of angle socket with an extension...please be specific on your tools!

Thanks!!
D

I just loosened everything keeping the oil tank clamped in. Didn't actually take the tank out. Doing this gave enough slack for two 1/4 inch extensions to get at the rearmost starter bolt by flexing upward on the tank. Hope that works for you.

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#18

03-25-2020, 04:18 PM

Max Headflow

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 98hotrodfatboy

The one thing I don't understand is why didn't the MOCO thread the starter housing and drill the inner primary.. Bolted from the inner primary side.. Wouldn't that been a little easier...??

06 dyna and 07 up the starter is bolted directly to the inner primary and there isn't any crap on the end ot the starter, only the gear. No longer any bushing in the outer primary.

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#19

01-27-2022, 05:30 PM

nadajoey

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Old post here but still relevant….

foes someone have a pic of an extra long Allen wrench being used to access the starter bolts.
thanks

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#20

01-27-2022, 06:38 PM

98hotrodfatboy

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I took a standard 1/4" x 6" allen wrench cut off the leg so I could slip it into a 1/4" drive deep 1/4" socket with a 1/4" extension and I can get to all the bolts easily...

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The following 2 users liked this post by 98hotrodfatboy:

pgreer (01-27-2022), scootertramptony (09-21-2022)

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