Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

Currious

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 21, 2025 | 06:47 PM
  #1  
DooWop's Avatar
DooWop
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 117
Likes: 44
From: Corrales NM
Default Currious

An 81 Sturgis. Has anyone ever tried to rotate a motor by using a socket and an impact tool?
It's a dry belt drive with no oil to worry about.
The bike has some starting issues and would like to not grind down the battery. Don't know
what would happen if it started. Whiplash from an electric cord????
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2025 | 06:56 PM
  #2  
Hoginedgewood's Avatar
Hoginedgewood
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,338
Likes: 1,283
From: Ky
Default

I believe you would remove the nut.
just use the starter.
many worry about impact knocking the magnets off the stator.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2025 | 07:30 AM
  #3  
Racepres's Avatar
Racepres
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,628
Likes: 3,389
From: Cental, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Hoginedgewood
I believe you would remove the nut.
just use the starter.
many worry about impact knocking the magnets off the stator.
Which it Will...If ya try to start Engine that way!!
Love my 4 speed with Kicker!!! I guess I thought the 1981 Sturgis came with a Kicker!!!
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2025 | 05:30 PM
  #4  
DooWop's Avatar
DooWop
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 117
Likes: 44
From: Corrales NM
Default

The bike has a kicker but it's a problem troubleshooting while kicking.Plus it's almost for sure the starter
would overheat and could fry the solenoid..The nut is torqued very high. I needed an extension and some math to tighten the nut last time.

I didn't intend to use the impact tool as an impact. The motor turns freely but the rotation is in
the loose direction. There is the locking washer but it could fail.
I can glue the magnets back on if they fall off but I see your point. Keep thinking of the starter method used on drag bikes
to get them going. A handy thingy. If I do try this I'll post the results.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2025 | 09:16 PM
  #5  
Joe12RK's Avatar
Joe12RK
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,164
Likes: 2,578
From: CT/FL
Default

You might be better off making a set of rollers like they use on some race bikes.

 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2025 | 07:19 AM
  #6  
Racepres's Avatar
Racepres
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,628
Likes: 3,389
From: Cental, MI
Default

Roller starters still Suck...Dragbikes are started off the crank...But, the socket is securely bolted to the Sprocket.. don't usually leave room for a Primary cover.. I guess I simply do Not understand the Kicker don't work for troubleshooting!! Always worked for me..What can possibly be gained by spinning the engine vs rolling it over slowly???
 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2025 | 02:15 PM
  #7  
johnjzjz's Avatar
johnjzjz
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
Default

Originally Posted by DooWop
The bike has a kicker but it's a problem troubleshooting while kicking.Plus it's almost for sure the starter
would overheat and could fry the solenoid..The nut is torqued very high. I needed an extension and some math to tighten the nut last time.

I didn't intend to use the impact tool as an impact. The motor turns freely but the rotation is in
the loose direction. There is the locking washer but it could fail.
I can glue the magnets back on if they fall off but I see your point. Keep thinking of the starter method used on drag bikes
to get them going. A handy thingy. If I do try this I'll post the results.
‘customers bikes when an issue is the thing - I press the starter button and kick it at the same time - this i have been doing since the 70s - back - when everyone had to have a stroker and compression. It was the only real way to start one
 
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2025 | 01:53 AM
  #8  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,145
Likes: 51,484
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by johnjzjz
‘customers bikes when an issue is the thing - I press the starter button and kick it at the same time - this i have been doing since the 70s - back - when everyone had to have a stroker and compression. It was the only real way to start one
Only way the 93 incher of mine will fire, down to 230lbs now I can stand on the kicker arm, have throw some *** into like the old sporties
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 25, 2025 | 06:28 AM
  #9  
Racepres's Avatar
Racepres
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,628
Likes: 3,389
From: Cental, MI
Default

^^^ Or you can get someone to Tow ya!! then sit and Cry that the piston lifted the Head...Like a Buddy did!!!!!
 
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2025 | 07:07 AM
  #10  
pgreer's Avatar
pgreer
Stellar HDF Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,192
Likes: 2,235
From: College Station, TX
Default

With the method you suggest, you are lilely to do more harm than good.

Diagnose the problem the old school way starting with the basics. This isn't a bike with a canbus system and compression releases etc.

Paul
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:43 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE