Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

1968 FLH Starter Issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 9, 2013 | 10:57 AM
  #1  
captwill55's Avatar
captwill55
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: indiana
Default 1968 FLH Starter Issues

Im trying to figure out if I need a new starter or not on my FLH . It has been clicking a few times before the starter turns and now it just clicks . I took off the primary cover and can see the solonoid kicking out so..does that mean the starter relay and solonoid are good and its my starter that is bad ?


Will
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2013 | 07:55 PM
  #2  
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

you did not say if it has the original type starter relay < 3 wire under the battery box twards the rear ?? it matters to give a good answer
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2013 | 08:57 PM
  #3  
j1mmy's Avatar
j1mmy
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
Default

it is hard to say.. run a jumper cable from the pos battery to the terminal on the starter to see if it spins. them bikes have and need a solenoid, and a starter relay. if someone bypasses the relay, it will still work for a little while, then burn out wiring and switches. a bad cable or week battery will give you a click but no start too.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2013 | 09:07 AM
  #4  
harleyxlc's Avatar
harleyxlc
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 6
Default

I have no suggestions, just happy to see another 68
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2013 | 02:53 PM
  #5  
captwill55's Avatar
captwill55
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: indiana
Default

Thanks for the reply... I took a wire and jumped from battery to starter and it turns over so is it the relay?

Will
 
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2013 | 07:32 PM
  #6  
LilRosie's Avatar
LilRosie
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 188
Likes: 17
From: SE Pa.
Default

Originally Posted by captwill55
Thanks for the reply... I took a wire and jumped from battery to starter and it turns over so is it the relay?

Will
When you jump the starter out, did you jump from the small terminal to the battery terminal on the solenoid, did the solenoid engage the starter gear, turning the starter and motor ?
If the above happened, then there's three other options to check.
On the gennys, if the neutral light doesn't come on when in neutral, they won't start using the electric starter, or you wait a while for the neutral light to come on, is an indication a weak contact which can cause the starter to click when pushing the starter button.

One, starter button, it could be a wire came off on the starter button (meaning the soldered connection, common for the after market buttons) or a wire connection came lose on the front terminal board (post 24 & 31), or a short in the wire in the handle bar.

Two, a bad contact on the ignition switch.

Three, the neutral switch in the front of the tranny, which has two wires. A wire may have come lose. The neutral switch may've become worn.

nos neutral switches can be bought fairly reasonable from Bill's Custom Cycles ebay site.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PANHEAD-NEW-...item48588f7d2f


 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2014 | 07:36 PM
  #7  
mibi's Avatar
mibi
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: ATL
Default

will
did you ever figure out what the problem was with the starter?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ShovelheadSebak
Shovelhead
5
Jun 30, 2019 08:56 PM
TrickyNicky
Shovelhead
3
Oct 26, 2017 09:57 AM
Samz74
Shovelhead
3
Oct 29, 2010 06:37 PM
Delawaredave
Touring Models
5
Oct 26, 2009 06:58 AM
zenith10
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
0
Jul 12, 2007 10:04 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:25 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE