i'm removing the starter on a 1988 softail do I have to remove the oiltank? the starter is unbolted from the interprimary. It the starter and gear housing. Or is there a easier way?

Thanks for your help

 

1988 has the 4 speed type starter with the separate solenoid...the easy way would have been to unbolt the starter from the gear housing...and leave it undisturbed. Getting the gear housing lined back up "by feel" without being able see what you are doing will be difficult to say the least...I have seen people break the housing trying. If you can't bolt the gear housing back up...the easiest way is to remove the outer primary...install the gear housing first ...then install the starter drive second.