The starter drive mechanism hanging up in the primary case due to several or many misalignments isn't going to cause the starter to continuously run. Somehow there is current being delivered to the solenoid, engaging the drive. I don't have a definitive resolve to your issue but if I were you I would be checking connections and cables. Good Luck with your headache Brother.

 

Uhh...yes it will...when the mechanism is hung up from misalignment, the "button" inside the solenoid is being pushed... making a connection between the main battery cable and the starter... regardless if current is supplied to the solenoid coil or not

 

Same here,my washer is there. It dose seem like a week spring or somthing.

 

Actually it will on the older bike starter , when the bendix is engaged in the ringgear that means the actuating arm is extended and the contacts in the solenoid are still live . A couple times of this and the current draw is heavy enough to weld the contacts together even in a new solenoid . But you are correct about the cables and current draw being the first place to check 9 out of 10 times . No boogyman there , start looking at any new hardware and alignment issues , doesn't take much to make a shovel get stupid about it .

Main reason I cautioned about aftermarket covers the LifeLine crap that was very prevalent for shovels in the 80's & 90's caused more more starter problems than you'll know I can't tell you how many run across doing this .

 

TwiZted Biker, left you an email. Waiting for a new set of pushrods for the pan. When they come in we need to hook up now that the good weather is here.

Dave

And to the OP, sorry for cutting in, no intent to jack your thread,

 

I just had a piece of humble pie thanks to Tom84FXST who took time to school me ( and I've been doin' this a long time ) as to how this could be. Along with your input this old boy stands corrected ..... but I would like to hear from from Bullet10 as to the final resolve to his situation. Thanks guys .. I appreciate your input ... I owe you a cold one next time you're in Michigan.

 

With every thing off connected battery cables directly to solnoid hit shorting strip check voltage to stater lug and voltage stayed same. Connected starter cable on starter solnoid lug retested voltage not present through solnoid to starter, connected starter directly to battery seems o'kay. Orderesd new Drag Specilty starter solnoid, will get tuesday.

 

OK, I had the same problems with my 1984 FLH shovel. The guy I bought it from had a small pair of vice grips for the negetive battery post to resolve this problem. I got all the recommended fixes you have gotten and nothing worked. Here's what works, it's a manually engaged solinoid from J & P Cycles, fits good, is very cool looking and will take care of your problem. I fried 3 batteries before I found this fix, here's the website/P/N.

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/381-946

 

Hi all, I took my starter shaft out and the them fingers were not in the shifter collar, put the fingers back in the collar and shaft and starter back together,works great now. (Dose not stay ingaged!) Why did they come out of the collar? thanks joe

 

They are quite easily bent(up and down) and some even bend them to get them out, to avoid extra disassembly.
You need to ensure that they are a good fit, to avoid them jumping out again.
Check your jackshaft endplay, as this can have an impact in this area.