77 FXE... Did some research with parts manual for my 77 and I believe I got it right, that the OEM starter is The Hitachi. I know that they also used Prestolite starters but in the FL's and not the FX. My question is which starter is actually the better starter? The Hitachi or the Prestolite and can I swap them out as long as I swap out the starter housing assembly as well to match each starter... Thanx...

 

I've had the stock Prestolite motor in my 93" shovel with never a complaint. I've swapped 'em out over the 39 years I've had the bike, but still a good motor.

The Hitachi seems to be a good one too as they worked on the FXE line just fine. Bracketing is a bit different for the battery tray, as I went to the FXE tray over the FLH one on my '76 shovel.

Realizing the answer was no help, either will work just fine, just eyeball the tray/brackets really well for alignment.

Griz

 

Thanx Griz. Isn't the Prestolite starter narrower than the Hitachi? In which it would have more clearance to the trans housing?

 

the presto was the first idea 1965 to 1976 both FL and FX

then Hitachi both FL and FX and 2 things are different - mounting bolt size is 1/4 20 not 10/24 and the prestolite is around 4 inches longer then the japan unit - the later japan unit is stronger better all around - they are both the same diam just the length is different

 

So John, you're saying I should stick with a Hitachi then?

 

It's the better starter and replacements are readily available.

 

Thank you. Much appreciated... I'll have my new housing Monday or Tuesday and go from there... Thanx.

 

Well the Prestolite starter and starter housing both came in over the weekend. I tried to install it in one piece but it didn't want to cooperate. I wasn't sure if I was going to go that route or stick with the Hitachi.... The only reason I went with the Prestolite was because it was all here and I didn't have all the parts to do the Hitachi.. So to get it properly installed I had to mount the starter housing first and then attach the starter motor... It was easier to clock the gear to the starter motor by doing it this way...

Being my first shovel everything went together well.. In fact I can see why the Hitachi starter housing broke off from the inner primary... It definitely was hitting the trans housing... I base this on the fact that the Prestolite still has less than 1/8" clearance to the trans housing. The Hitachi starters are a little wider than the Prestolite...

There has been some modifications to this FXE... Not sure who made them but it appears that the floor boards, heal toe shifter and ratchettop are all set up like an FLH, not an FXE.. So now I'm wondering how the ratchet shifter was set up to operate, FLH or FXE. I am still having problems shifting into 2nd gear and downshifting from fourth to third. I'm hoping that this is all caused by the timing of the ratchet shifter... I'll take it apart this winter when the snow is flying..

As for the starter it's an aftermarket Prestolite that is advertised as a 1.6 kw starter motor.. I will say this, it turns over very nicely. In Fact it cranks like and Evo and bang it fires very quickly.... So over all I'm happy with the way this turned out. We'll just have to see how long the starter last.... Install Mileage is 19,600. Time will tell....

 

Like to send out a big thanks to johnjzjz. last night He helped me through my little electrical problem don't know what I'd do without you guys sometimes, thank you John....