HAVING A STARTER PROBLEM ON MY SON'S 1980 IRONHEAD. THE GEARS ON THE MOTOR WERE TOTALLY STRIPPED OFF, SO WE REPLACED THE MOTOR. WHEN WE TRIED TO START IT THE PINON GEAR SEEMS TO COME OUT BUT NOT ALIGN WITH THE CLUTCH GEAR. ALSO THE STARTER DOESN'T STOP, EVEN IF YOU TURN OFF THE KEY, HAD TO DISCONNECT THE NEG CABLE TO STOP IT.ANY IDEAS? THE HARLEY MANUEL HAS NOTHING ON THE 1980 STARTER.

 

Sounds like the starter solinoid is stuck, causing the starter to keep running. Seen it may times in cars. If it is part of the starter, I would bring it back.

 

See the next post!

 

Not sure about the pinion not engaging the ring gear. Sometimes it can be traced to an alignment problem, though.

If the starter won't stop, check the starter switch, the starter relay, and the solenoid. Any one of these messing up could cause the starter to stay engaged.

 

what skip said along with making sure your wiring is correct.

 

i agree with everyone, but if the starter is binding on the clutch gear, it will hang automotive starters have shims for proper alignment i dont know about harley starters.