Hey Guys I am brand new to the forum as I have nowhere else to turn, I have done tons of research and I cannot find anything that is the same as the problem I am having with the starter on my 88 sportster 1200, I have used other forums for my truck and car and I am hoping you guys on here are as wonderful as the other forums I have used, I will post a link to the YouTube video I have of my problem. Hopefully someone on here can tell me what the problem is because I live an hour away from the closest dealer and they keep saying to bring it because they can't tell from the video, but its tough to bring it in when it wont start.

Thanking everyone in advance,
here is the link please have a look and let me know what you think.

If the link does not work type in 88 Harley Davidson sportster starter issues into Google and its the first video to come up

 

Please indicate which problem you are talking about. I see a possibility of two in the video. Are you talking about the spinning of the starter without engaging the engine or the big puff of smoke from around the cylinders on the second start up?

 

Not sure how old your battery is but if it's been a while after a good charge, remove and get it load tested for cold cranking amps and this will also insure your connections are good. My guess is you need the starter rachet clutch end, but old as it is, I would do it and the starter. While it's out make sure the ring gear on the clutch drum still looks OK with all teeth OK and no burrs on back side were starter gear jumps in.

 

yes it is the starter issue that I am worried about, that's the only time I have seen it do the smoke thing, but while we are on it what could the puff of smoke be from ? the battery is brand new fully charged, worked great all summer, now not so much

 

Smoke could be an arc from a loose terminal on the battery (usually the neg. lead) which could also cause the starter problem. Check both ends of all battery leads.

 

The first two grinds are the tight starter noise from dried up grease and gear not engaging motor. That second start is a unburnt fuel charge coming back out the intake valve thru carb. No big deal. It just spit back a little.

 

Thanks guys I am going to be pulling the battery to make sure I have a good charge on it, so I will check all of my leads etc. That is what I thought about the smoke on the second start was maybe a little spitback LOL, anyway do I have to pull the starter in order to check out the dried grease thing ? if so could you point me out to a thread that has a good how to on it ? any information I can get would be great.
Thanks Again