I just had mine done at the end of the season - got something for my warranty...lol.
changing a starter
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 388
Likes: 3
From: Brunswick, Ohio
dont change the starter. theres only 3 components that can really go wrong with it. either the starter clutch, solenoid, or armature. usually not the armature. and if you change the clutch, might as well do the solenoid too cause its cheap. just dont buy the same starter clutch from harley as they are crap. go for something with a lifetime warranty like ZEN or Allballs. they are better quaility and a lot cheaper. (under $100) i think you can get the solenoid kit for under $20.
as far as getting it out, thats the biggest pain in the a$$. gotta remove the seat, battery, oil tank, and the rear fender splash guard. then there is a long skinny bolt that you gotta pull out through your primary. but after that its easy to disassemble and rebuild.
its not really all that bad if you take your time. like one of the above posters said, about 3-4 hours. but if you have no mechanical ability, you should take it to the shop.
as far as getting it out, thats the biggest pain in the a$$. gotta remove the seat, battery, oil tank, and the rear fender splash guard. then there is a long skinny bolt that you gotta pull out through your primary. but after that its easy to disassemble and rebuild.
its not really all that bad if you take your time. like one of the above posters said, about 3-4 hours. but if you have no mechanical ability, you should take it to the shop.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 713
Likes: 55
From: Punta Gorda, Florida
dont change the starter. theres only 3 components that can really go wrong with it. either the starter clutch, solenoid, or armature. usually not the armature. and if you change the clutch, might as well do the solenoid too cause its cheap. just dont buy the same starter clutch from harley as they are crap. go for something with a lifetime warranty like ZEN or Allballs. they are better quaility and a lot cheaper. (under $100) i think you can get the solenoid kit for under $20.
as far as getting it out, thats the biggest pain in the a$$. gotta remove the seat, battery, oil tank, and the rear fender splash guard. then there is a long skinny bolt that you gotta pull out through your primary. but after that its easy to disassemble and rebuild.
its not really all that bad if you take your time. like one of the above posters said, about 3-4 hours. but if you have no mechanical ability, you should take it to the shop.
as far as getting it out, thats the biggest pain in the a$$. gotta remove the seat, battery, oil tank, and the rear fender splash guard. then there is a long skinny bolt that you gotta pull out through your primary. but after that its easy to disassemble and rebuild.
its not really all that bad if you take your time. like one of the above posters said, about 3-4 hours. but if you have no mechanical ability, you should take it to the shop.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 9,332
From: Georgia
You need compression releases rkh.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,215
Likes: 12,809
From: South Carolina
The starter is a fairly common unit, any starter shop can rebuild it for about the same money as you would spend buying the parts yourself.
I just took mine in and had it rebuilt for 85 bucks (it`s 22 years old).
The hardest part of the job on a Softail is removing the oil tank. But it is not that bad if you remove the rear wheel and inner fender.
I just took mine in and had it rebuilt for 85 bucks (it`s 22 years old).
The hardest part of the job on a Softail is removing the oil tank. But it is not that bad if you remove the rear wheel and inner fender.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 388
Likes: 3
From: Brunswick, Ohio
yep, i highly recommend compression releases if you have higher compression than stock. mine is a 95" build as well and dont have them. the starter clutch lasted me one summer. i bought the ZEN starter clutch with the lifetime warranty, but it hasnt had any problems yet in 2 years time.
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