Thanks IronGear, I will take good look at it this weekend.

 

Just a word of caution about starters for those not familiar with the the way the solenoid works:

If you grab that pinion gear and pull it into the ring gear, it will energize the starter even though you are not pushing the start button. This is the same on the old shovel type starters and the new starters as well.

The pinion gear is at one end of the solenoid shaft, the electrical contacts are at the other end. As you pull the pinion gear toward the ring gear, you are also moving the contacts closer together. Once the shaft has moved out far enough to mesh the pinion gear and ring gear, the contacts will close the circuit.

 

Good point Dan, Unhook the neg. cable first or your fingers will be hamburg.

 

Late type do not have a mechanical connection between the "plunger" and the starter drive gear. They are strictly a push only type.
Pulling the starter drive gear forward would allow for movement of the plunger, but not mandate it like the early style.
EDITED BY ADMIN TO TAKE THE "I AM A SEXUAL INTELLECTUAL" (F*CKING KNOW IT ALL) ATTITUDE OUT.

 

Might want to lighten up a bit this is a shovelhead forum we are in and the vast majority of the starters are the 3 piece style not the " Late " all in one your riding him about .

 

Then why did he try to educate someone regarding the issue, if he knows nothing about it(WHICH HE CLEARLY DOES NOT)?
That's the part I do not understand...... AND HATE.
People that have no usable knowledge on a subject abusing poor folk who know no better, for their own ego's sake.

And for the record, I do not have a know it all attitude. I do not know it all.
It just looks that way as, when I don't know.....

I KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT.

 

Stick to the subject at hand , while there are several type starters going into detail about then will only confuse someone who doesn't know anything in the first place ? See the logic there ?
Experience will bring knowledge not a bunch of guys tossing type out to him .

 

WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME? WAS IT THE FORK WAS BEHIND THE RING? A FRIEND HAS AN 84 AND WE WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE THIS COMMON PROBLEM.

ALSO ANY OTHERS USE THE MECHANICAL ENGAGEMENT FOR THE SOLENOID? I DID SEE A PICT OF A HANDLE BESIDE THE SOLENOID ON A BIKE AND WOULD LIKE THAT OR A CUTOFF AT SOME POINT - BUT WHERE?
THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT. I see some getting passionate as they care about people and results. NOT too bad in my book.
Tom J.
Denton, Tx.
Marion B.
Durham , NC.

 

I had this happen on a 1978 Shovel after I changed stock outer primary cover to aftermarket chrome cover. The aftermarket cover fit loser on dowel pins. If I installed by just tightening up primary cover screws, the cover would site too far down, bind jack shaft in bushing when starter was applied, and starter would not cut off. If I installed holding upward pressure on primary cover while tightening cover screws, the bushing aligned and no starter problems. Took me about a year and two starter motors to figure this out. If you have an after market primary cover, see if if fits loose on the dowel pins prior to tightening screws or is there up and down movement. The stock covers have no up and down movement when sitting loose on the dowel pins with no screws installed.

 

The starter drive on my '73 FLH has been failing to engage ring gear about a month after slipping starter drive was replaced. I have inspected all parts and seeing some wear on ring gear, turned it around so unworn side faces starter drive. Reassembled, still does same thing. It has manual shift lever which has worked for 3 years so solenoid is out of equation. it does have aftermarket outer primary which hasn't been a problem in the 10 years I've had the bike. I will try re-tightening the outer primary with upward pressure on it tomorrow and hopefully the bike can come on vacation and you will be my hero. Thank you so much.