How long should a starter last?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 25
From: St Louis
How long should a starter last?
Any idea how long an HD starter should last? I know it is based on the number of times the bike is started over the years. Any symptoms I should look for to narrow it down to a starter going bad? Thanks
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Starter should last as long as your engine under normal circumstances. Heat is your starters enemy. If you have cranked on it for long periods such as a hard start or no start you may have damaged it. Starter symptoms pretty much the same as battery symptoms.
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 8
From: Florida
Mine was never abused, but committed suicide right after the 103" install. I didn't install compression releases as the consensus is you don't need em on a 103" build. Funny HD is putting ACR's on all 2012 103".
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
I did a SE 95 kit and I have the comp release's. I was told with the high comp pistons that I had to have the comp releases!! I agree, I would check battery before I went any further.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 388
Likes: 3
From: Brunswick, Ohio
got the 95" build on mine when it was fairly new and the starter went out a couple thousand miles later. put a better starter clutch in it, one with a lifetime warranty, and its been fine ever since.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Got 5 years and 100,000 miles on mine and only replaced 3 starter clutches and filed the solinoid plate once. Still going strong!
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: St Louis
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
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From: Richmond, VA
Mine lasted 15 years before it died, and I'm confident had I gone threw all the wires cables, connections and solenoid BEFORE I replaced it that it would have lasted even longer, But I was lazy.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,078
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From: Hickory, NC
Yep. That's a hard lesson to learn and sorry to hear it. I've been telling folks for while that they need them even though the dealers are saying you don't. A friend of mine used to be a service manager for a Harley dealership and he was one of the few who was telling folks that they did need them. On really high compression builds, you can take a starter out by cranking one time without hitting the compression releases (manual ones). I saw it happen to the same guy twice within a three month period.