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OK, so I've been caressing on the old girl off and on for about nine months now. New problem arose. Starter would spin but no gear engagement and horrible grinding.
I originally thought, bendix. took off primary, sure enough the bendix was ground up. I replaced it, and I still had the same issue. Rather than grind up another bendix, I pulled the starter.
I am the original owner of this old shovel, and let me tell you, it seems like I learn something new about it everyday. Just when you think you have a shovel figured out, something else weird happens.
Well, in this case, the little gear on the end of the starter motor is totally stripped, and the starter gear is a bit rounded on the inside gear. I'm not sure if I should just try to pull the starter gear and replace it, or just get a new starter. This chrome one is about 20 years old.
I"m not even sure if I can find a replacement starter gear.
All I could find is a new armature for $100, that has the gear on it.
Or you can get a whole new starter for $150. From J&P. Cycles. Haven't seen just the gear offered.
J&P Part #: 803-650
Mfr Part #: PH125-HD09-B
No experience with those.
The starter on my Shovel is 43 years old, and original. Other than cleaning up that copper washer, I haven't needed to service it.
It helps if you keep the bike tuning dialed in...that way, it doesn't turn over much before it starts.
Looking at how chewed-up your's is, do you have the solenoid spacer in there? It's vital for alignment.
My old girl is 46 years old, I'm the original owner. Bike has an andrews B grind that has been on there since the early 80's, a morris mag, and S and S super B with a super bowl.
I just had the valves redone and it has new standard compression pistons and rings.
So a mild custom with nothing spectacular.
I can't imagine why that gear spun off so badly. I checked the timing, and it all looks good.
No Biggie... it is Just as John says aftermarket gear made of Silly Putty.. Sometimes you get what you pay For...sometimes...less
BTW; Concerning timing... Too much advance, or a worn mechanical advance mechanism, stuck on Full Advance, can/will cause engine to "kick-back" on starter...or Kicker too....
I'm at a loss as to what caused it to happen. I have to retard the mag to start the bike. So I don't think it was advanced. Even so, it's worked for a long time now. In fact, this starter looks amazing inside
At any rate, being a cheap old fart, I decided to buy a used Hitachi Armature off of flea bay. Mostly because IF something else is causing this issue, I'm not out a lot of money.
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Some starter advice needed.
