Hi all. I own a 2003 FXST Softail Standard. Last year the starter started acting up. I would push the button and about 20% of the time the starter shaft would just spin without engaging with the ring gear. I bought a used starter on ebay (Last year) and finally had the time to start to remove mine as it's gotten worse. The problem is that I have a different drive/jackshaft on my original starter compared to the used one I bought on ebay.

My original starter has the long bolt that threads into the center of the shaft which a clip gets bent over to hold the bolt from coming lose as seen directly below.

The used starter I bought from ebay has a spline shaft rather than a smooth shaft. Does anybody know if the parts can be swapped to make the two work?
I've tested the used starter with a jump pack and all is well.


Thanks very much.
Rob.

 

Sounds like you need a starter clutch,not a starter. [[Also known as a 'bendix'] The gear on the drive end that engages the ring gear-has a clutch mechanism inside of it that gets weak,thus the gear doesn't stay engaged,and the starter just spins uselessly.

 

They sell rebuild kits for your old starter.

 

If the starter motor spins, the pinion is engagedto the ring gear.

Your problem is as hdbob2006 said, a bad starter clutch.

Replace the starter clutch on your original starter.