FXE & FX the defferance
FXE & FX the defferance
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,067
Likes: 7,596
From: Poolville
I know this is an old thread, but I needed to know the difference as well because there was another thread on here where one guy was talking about an fxe that he had with a 9D designation in the VIN number. I that mine also was an fxe because it's electric start as well but the VIN is a 2C so I guess mine used to be kick only and somebody converted it which means a whole new inner primary and everything is that correct? Maybe that explains why I had so many problems with my starter mounting ears breaking off because the Hitachi that was on there was making contact with the trans... So my next question would be is the a difference in transmission as well between the FX and FXE..? Or are there different primaries thoughtout the life of the FX, one for a Hitachi and one for a Prestolite...? Thanks....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,571
Likes: 3,327
From: Cental, MI
I too own a 2c, [1974] which was "converted" to E Start.. With Chiwanese Crap components... took me awhile to source O.E inner, and Starter housing... but, once done... works as it should..I do Not believe there was much difference in the inner primaries... later anyway.. just components not present, and Holes blocked off... I do have an Inner without holes for Solenoid nor Starter housing in the Stash!!! Yes O.E. Numbers.. Just don't remember the numbers offhand.. so they were different once...
The Starter housing is Different from Hitachi to Prestolite... I do Not recall if the Starter housings are the same where they mount to the Inner Primary right now... will have to look!!!, and the FL used the Prestolite, while the FX's used the Hitachi... except the Shovelhead FXR, which used the Prestolite starter..
Trans I find Zero differences in the FX and FXE... certainly Not like the FX vs FL.
Thinking on it... I have do Not remember ever seeing a 4-speed clutch shell that did Not have a ring Gear... except where someone obviously removed it... Talkin O.E. Here... and I have decidedly Not seen everything.. HTH a bit..
The Starter housing is Different from Hitachi to Prestolite... I do Not recall if the Starter housings are the same where they mount to the Inner Primary right now... will have to look!!!, and the FL used the Prestolite, while the FX's used the Hitachi... except the Shovelhead FXR, which used the Prestolite starter..
Trans I find Zero differences in the FX and FXE... certainly Not like the FX vs FL.
Thinking on it... I have do Not remember ever seeing a 4-speed clutch shell that did Not have a ring Gear... except where someone obviously removed it... Talkin O.E. Here... and I have decidedly Not seen everything.. HTH a bit..
Last edited by Racepres; Oct 27, 2018 at 10:26 AM.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,067
Likes: 7,596
From: Poolville
Thanks racepres, that actually clears up a little of my issue that I had with the starter housing mount ears breaking.
Soso you know the only difference between the Hitachi and Prestolite starter housing is the Mount bolts. The Hitachi uses a 12-32 and the prestolite uses 1/4 20 to mount the starter to the starter housing..
I had no idea that they had an FXR Back in 77 and I'm curious if that's the actual difference between the FX and the FXR. The starters obviously but the length of the inner primary could be making the difference because of the different style bike maybe and that's why I had to go to prestolite where everybody was saying HItachi is the one, including the book so I guess it's very possible that I have an FXR primary on there and didn't know it requiring the use of the prestolite because the Hitachi plainly was bigger in diameter and was definitely hitting my transmission...
just to clarify I know they didn't have an FXR in 77, I believe they came out in 82.. I think ...
What's "HTH a bit"?
Soso you know the only difference between the Hitachi and Prestolite starter housing is the Mount bolts. The Hitachi uses a 12-32 and the prestolite uses 1/4 20 to mount the starter to the starter housing..
I had no idea that they had an FXR Back in 77 and I'm curious if that's the actual difference between the FX and the FXR. The starters obviously but the length of the inner primary could be making the difference because of the different style bike maybe and that's why I had to go to prestolite where everybody was saying HItachi is the one, including the book so I guess it's very possible that I have an FXR primary on there and didn't know it requiring the use of the prestolite because the Hitachi plainly was bigger in diameter and was definitely hitting my transmission...
just to clarify I know they didn't have an FXR in 77, I believe they came out in 82.. I think ...
What's "HTH a bit"?
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Oct 27, 2018 at 11:27 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,571
Likes: 3,327
From: Cental, MI
Correct... FXR shovelhead... '82 & '83... with prestolite starter.. Sorry for any Confusion..My Response was Not really year specific... more in General.
Also Prestolite starters are longer Than the Hitachi... as well as different Circumference, and different bolt size, the reason the starter housings are different... the Support from starter to Tranny is not the same either.. Not just due to Battery box... more about the length of the Starter motor...
Hope This Helps
Also Prestolite starters are longer Than the Hitachi... as well as different Circumference, and different bolt size, the reason the starter housings are different... the Support from starter to Tranny is not the same either.. Not just due to Battery box... more about the length of the Starter motor...
Hope This Helps
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
