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08 FATBOY starter problems..Quick fix ??

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Old May 19, 2012 | 12:36 AM
  #1  
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Default 08 FATBOY starter problems..Quick fix ??

Hi,

Firstly, if its been covered, sorry (couldnt find anything when i needed help)

Jst wanted to let ppl knw that sometimes their is a easy fix (if your lucky)

If u hav one of these 08 1580 engines(may cover over years, but will stick with mine) and hav had nasty nosies when u try and start ur beast

mine use to start mint sometimes, other times (Usually everytime ppl were looking at bike saying how great it look)
1.would sound like the starter was trying 2 climb out of the casing
2.backfire and spin backwards
3. jst sound really really BAD

Well after throwing 3 dif make starters at it and local harley shop saying it was a power issue, then power commander not tuned right, and many hours of pulling my hair out.... not to mention the cost close on $1400 b4 i decided enough was enough

I decide to pull it apart myself an have a look, off came the primery , the the whole clutch/flywheel hub..thats when i notice flywheel teeth didnt look happy.

My engineer look at starter and flywheel (back on engine), Had me ingauge the starter, then laugh his head off after me telling him how much id spent , and with a big grin on his face said its an easy fix

Turns out the mounting hole (where the starter motor mounts) was not milled/located the correct distance away from the f/wheel. The starter motor was too high an the (starter motor) teeth indeed were trying to run over the top of the f/wheel.... hope that explained it better

Pulled the tooth gear off the starter motor and replaced it with one tooth size bigger ($49nz) heat pressed off the flywheel an spin it around...PROBLEM SOLVED !!, Total bill.. $69.00nz

So if u having to pull starter out, get a touch an hav a good inspection of the flywheel teeth b4 anything else...U jst Never Knw

Hopefully this may save someone all the hours an money that i throw at it

My lession : Jst because its from the factory, dont mean its right...

chrs, Bill
 

Last edited by stinger9b; May 19, 2012 at 02:36 AM.
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Old May 19, 2012 | 01:34 AM
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Is it me, or did anyone else not understand any of this?

Are you trying to say the factory did....WHAT??
 
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Old May 19, 2012 | 02:23 AM
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sorry if i not explain it right... the hole where the starter motor bolts and locates is not in the correct spot, this is why the starter is not sitting into the flywheel at the correct depth.... hoping that explains it better.

if yes, ill re word what i have written above
 
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Old May 19, 2012 | 04:18 AM
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U buy Ur bike new or used. if so someone may already been in there and maybe changed out the starter with wrong gears ?


.
 
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Old May 19, 2012 | 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by oct1949
U buy Ur bike new or used. if so someone may already been in there and maybe changed out the starter with wrong gears ?


.
Was factory starter with org correct tooth gear. plus i had tried an ultma starter and one other make (cant remember name) all came with the same tooth count as orig one in bike, pretty sure they 10tooth and went went and put an 11tooth on. I find it hard to believe someone would change the teeth on a starter for any reason other than the problem i have incountered

chrs,
 
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Old May 19, 2012 | 03:26 PM
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dayum, stinger...now that would be a pisser. Doubtful I'd be laffin about it!
 
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Old May 19, 2012 | 05:52 PM
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Glad you got that mystery solved! considering it was such as easy fix that it should've never gotten past quality control in the first place
Either way, here's to happy starting from now on when everyone's watching!
 
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Old Nov 29, 2012 | 04:30 PM
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Hey stinger9b I'm having the same problem with my starter where did you get that gear for your starter ..
 
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Reading up on this - I think I am having the same problem with an 07 Fatboy that I purchased last year. I have put about 2,000 miles on it, and about two weeks ago - tried to start it and it just made a horrible almost grinding noise. Two attempts like that - then it grabbed and started perfectly. Next few rides, flawless. Today - same thing - oddly - exactly two attempts then perfect. Stopped for gas, and flawless start again.
Interesting that i only found this post though - anybody else have this problem?
 
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