Re-installing a starter on my Iron

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 17, 2009 | 06:20 PM

Hey Zeus

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 507

Likes: 0

From: Cleveland, OH - Longing for Savannah, GA

Re-installing a starter on my Iron

I am confused about something and hope you can help. I have a 1976 Sporty and she originally came with kick and electric. I had a b1tch of a time with the electric starter that came with her in that it turned the wrong way (dont ask me how, but it did). I became so pi$$ed off I put the block plate on and did away with the electric start. Well, I was told that the Prestolite (which is what my basket case came with) was the one for my bike, but I see now that 1974 through 1976 used a Hitachi starter. First of all, is this true and secondly, could the fact that I had a Prestolite starter when I bought my bike be the reason it didnt revolve the correct direction? I am confused and dont want to spend the money on a whole new system until I find out what is supposed to be on my bike and what will work the correct way.
Also, if anyone here has a starter assembly of the correct kind and is selling it let me know....I will need the entire housing, starter, etc.
Thanks in advance.

Sep 17, 2009 | 09:18 PM

piniongear

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 3,035

Likes: 17

From: Houston Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Butcher

Hey Gino.....
Long time no speak! Good to hear from you.

During the seventies the Sportster had both a Prestolite and a Hatachi starter. I am unsure of the particular years devoted to each, but I believe the Prestolite was first used, followed by the Hatachi.
In anycase, both starters will rotate in the same direction.
(The engine runs in the same direction using both starters)

I still believe the problem you had with your starter running backwards had something to do with the brush installation.
One set are positive and one are negative. If they get switched around it may cause things to rotate the wrong way, but I cannot say that for sure because I have little experience with working on the starters.

I can send you the factory service manual info on a Prestolite if you want it (if you don't have it now). it is not a great deal of info, but that's all there is.
I suggest you work on the starter on the workbench and get it to run and rotate in the correct direction..........THEN, install it on the bike.
bench work is much easier than on the machine.
pg

Sep 17, 2009 | 11:38 PM

sepixlh

Road Master

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 751

Likes: 6

From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle

Bikebandit has good pictures..but no instructions or part #
http://www.bikebandit.com/assets/sch.../HD0738057.gif
As PG wrote both Hitachi and Prestolite rotates to same direction... problem is in brushes.
If I remember correct Prestolite has 2 brushes and Hitachi 4...