"Grumpy" Starter
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 452
From: Canada
"Grumpy" Starter
After 115,000 km, my starter is getting grumpier to start. Hot or cold. In it's defense it has had to start a variety of motor upgrades...
96" Stock
96" w/ Andrews 26H
120R w/ ACR & SE266
120R w / T-Man 662-2 and a rebore to 4.070"
124R from T-Man with a compression bump to 11.2:1 from 10.5:1 [if memory serves]
So - I'm thinking I'll replace the starter. I am looking at JP as well as HD. I've seen AllBalls mentioned here, but they also have Accel as an option at JP. I'd probably go HD Chrome 1.4 kW, but really i want the best one to just forget any issues.
The HD one can be had locally at a dealer [in Canada] but the other two I'd probably need to pay brokerage & shipping. [What happened to NAFTA..?]
There are some other starter options i've found online, but I just want one that can replace the one I have. I keep forgetting my service manual in the garge to read through it to have an idea about the job.
I think they come ready to swap. If the gears are a little chewed i'd like new ones of course. I think the 08 & newer don't require the primary to be pulled. I can do it if the motorcycle was here, but I may be doing it at the self storage.
Anyhow - just curious on others opinions / experiences. It'll be sweet if I could just easily swap new for the old starter.
Thank you
H
96" Stock
96" w/ Andrews 26H
120R w/ ACR & SE266
120R w / T-Man 662-2 and a rebore to 4.070"
124R from T-Man with a compression bump to 11.2:1 from 10.5:1 [if memory serves]
So - I'm thinking I'll replace the starter. I am looking at JP as well as HD. I've seen AllBalls mentioned here, but they also have Accel as an option at JP. I'd probably go HD Chrome 1.4 kW, but really i want the best one to just forget any issues.
The HD one can be had locally at a dealer [in Canada] but the other two I'd probably need to pay brokerage & shipping. [What happened to NAFTA..?]
There are some other starter options i've found online, but I just want one that can replace the one I have. I keep forgetting my service manual in the garge to read through it to have an idea about the job.
I think they come ready to swap. If the gears are a little chewed i'd like new ones of course. I think the 08 & newer don't require the primary to be pulled. I can do it if the motorcycle was here, but I may be doing it at the self storage.
Anyhow - just curious on others opinions / experiences. It'll be sweet if I could just easily swap new for the old starter.
Thank you
H
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
how about rebuilding yours?
That woul dbe quick and pretty easy, clean the commutator, replace the bearings and the brushes- those are the 3 issues addressed on a starter rebuild
+ check the starter drive ( gears as you mention) and clean the solenoid disk.
This is a couple of hour job vs an hour to swap starters.
just a suggestion- the hitachi on my hicomp FXRp has been serviced by me 3 times in the past 26 years at a negligible cost
the first step ( always ) is to ensure good battery, and clean tight cable connections
mike
That woul dbe quick and pretty easy, clean the commutator, replace the bearings and the brushes- those are the 3 issues addressed on a starter rebuild
+ check the starter drive ( gears as you mention) and clean the solenoid disk.
This is a couple of hour job vs an hour to swap starters.
just a suggestion- the hitachi on my hicomp FXRp has been serviced by me 3 times in the past 26 years at a negligible cost
the first step ( always ) is to ensure good battery, and clean tight cable connections
mike
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 452
From: Canada
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the idea. I won't deep six the starter, I'll consider rebuilding it. I just have a senario where I need to basically change it on the side of the road.
If it was infact on the "side of the road" the starter may end up in a dumpster...
More my question is in regard to getting a higher output starter. I do have the ACR's in my heads, but the extra grunt might be good.
I may just stick to HD - as they should be at every second dealership.
I hear you on the battery. Obviously if your charge is low - an electric motor will not operate properly [if at all]. Good connections and full charge ensure highest amperage is delivered to the starter motor.
Lastly the chrome starter won't necessarily get me home. [but it might...]
We'll see how it shakes out.
Thank you.
H
Thanks for the idea. I won't deep six the starter, I'll consider rebuilding it. I just have a senario where I need to basically change it on the side of the road.
If it was infact on the "side of the road" the starter may end up in a dumpster...
More my question is in regard to getting a higher output starter. I do have the ACR's in my heads, but the extra grunt might be good.
I may just stick to HD - as they should be at every second dealership.
I hear you on the battery. Obviously if your charge is low - an electric motor will not operate properly [if at all]. Good connections and full charge ensure highest amperage is delivered to the starter motor.
Lastly the chrome starter won't necessarily get me home. [but it might...]
We'll see how it shakes out.
Thank you.
H
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
Obviously you could go with a more powerful starter abdominal there may well be advantages to that.
On the other hand, the stock starter has done a good job for you up to now.
Rebuilding the existing is going to be much less expensive and it has already proven itself.
But then it really doesn't have much bling factor.
On the other hand, the stock starter has done a good job for you up to now.
Rebuilding the existing is going to be much less expensive and it has already proven itself.
But then it really doesn't have much bling factor.
Advanced
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 81
Likes: 9
From: NY
.....or crunching could mean a simple starter drive...I've found, believe it or not the HD starter hard to beat especially with a heavier duty starter drive
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 452
From: Canada
Excellent, hense requesting opinions.
If I go for a tire on the ride, maybe I'll pick up a starter.
I'd go chrome to just to keep chroming sh*t... ha ha
I can check the ACR connectors, but they should be enabled with TTS.
I think it doesn't help I bumped the compression. 11.2:1 is technically higher than 10.5:1 [10.3 psi?] but now I'm speculating.
Upping the power is acomplished by going 1.4 kW and chrome. It is $585 CAD for the starter though. However it can be a roadside upgrade if needed...
Later
H
If I go for a tire on the ride, maybe I'll pick up a starter.
I'd go chrome to just to keep chroming sh*t... ha ha
I can check the ACR connectors, but they should be enabled with TTS.
I think it doesn't help I bumped the compression. 11.2:1 is technically higher than 10.5:1 [10.3 psi?] but now I'm speculating.
Upping the power is acomplished by going 1.4 kW and chrome. It is $585 CAD for the starter though. However it can be a roadside upgrade if needed...
Later
H
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post