Helping a buddy replace his starter on his 99 Heritage this weekend. Never done a starter but he's got a service manual so I think we should be set. Any pointers before I get into the project?

 

Take your time. Gunna need a quart of oil for the primary. Service manual is pretty good.
Here's a good site for breakdowns and part #'s. http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....EMBLT-W/-LINES

 

I learned this one the other day. Make sure you have all the tools you need BEFORE you start the project.

Also, the manual says you have to remove the oil tank. If you want to great, if not, all you need to do is loosen it to access the bolts on the top of the starter. Might save you some time.

 

Changing the starter is one of those frustrating jobs that nobody wants to do. To properly access it, you need to remove the oil tank. Having said that however, I once saw a guy with "Small" hands access the starter by removing the rear wheel and splash guard. As stated by RIPbiker13, have all your tools, parts and gaskets available before starting.

 

My buddy is yelling me that he thinks it is the jack shaft and not the starter. Anyone have experience with this?

 

I too am having an issue with a '99 Heritage starter.

Starter spins but won't engage the starter ring.

I may have to buy a SM and see how big of a mess I can make.

 

Starter clutch is shot. My Fatboy have the identical sympton.
Replacement is a half-day affair. The one thing to watch with reinstallation is not use the torque rating listed in the manual for the jack shaft bolt. I recall it being in inch-pounds. Never approached the rating , and she snapped right off. Luckily, I was able to grab the broken stub with Vise-Grips and safely removed. The local dealership had one in stock.

 

My buddy determined it to be his starter clutch too and ordered one up.

 

My starter swap was made much easier for me by pulling the oil tank first. It's not as difficult as it's made out to be. Will be doing another oil tank swap in a couple days.

 

1. no need to replace the whole starter. just get a good starter clutch. (all *****, or zen) much better quality with lifetime warranty and cheaper than the stock crap harley sells.
2. like someone mentioned in one of the above posts, careful torquing the jackshaft bolt. it isnt expensive, but i had to take the stater back out to get the broken part out. that just sucks when you already have everything back together.