Just came offnice day trip thru N. Ga. mountains (500 miles) and we stopped quite a bit during the day and notice my starter kinda skipping/grinding, went to start it up and hour ago and it just spins, any suggestions, is this something I can replace myself, it certainly seems easy enough to access and I really don't feel like waiting 2 or 3 wks for the local dealership to work it in. Thanks for any help/suggestions.

 

What kind of bike do you have?? I recently had to change the starter on my Road King. Not a huge deal but I ran into some complications with removing the old starter (the chrome cover on the end created just enough length to wedge the starter very firmly into place). On the Road King the primary cover has to be removed to access the starter jackshaft bolt, so be sure to pick up a quart of primary lube and the necessary gaskets. Try finding the aftermarket gaskets that have the "printo-seal" type face on them, as they can be reused and are generally less expensive than the stock HD paper gasket.

Also, check out the high torque units offered by Ultima. I picked up a 1.4kw in full chrome for $150 shipped. HD wanted $320.00 plus tax for a stock piece.

Later,
BK

 

As a quick trouble shoot, short the solenoid terminals with a plastic handle screwdriver. If it doesn't engage you can save time and expense by just replacing it. I'm not sure how well this works on newer bikes.

 

sounds like the starter clutch I have put a lot off clutch's in Harley starters[/align]

 

Yeah it kinda souds like the starter clutch is going bad. Mine shot craps last year. It was acting up for a few days and then it just stoped working. Get your self a service manual and it's pretty easy. It took me around 2 hours but that was my first time. I bett I could save off 20-30min if I had to do it again. Oh by the way the starter clutch only cost me $50.00 from a local indy shop.

 

Yep what BK Meyers said.
Year make and model first!
Different bikes are different.
But since it is mostly nuts and bolts
you ought to be able to figure it out.
But the FIRST tool you need to buy is a "SERVICE MANUAL"

 

I currently have the same problem again (97-HDFLSTC). The original starter was replaced with a high torque one and then I replaced that with a rebuilt one last year.

How can I tell if the starter clutch is defective?

 

I replaced my starter on road king starter ingages but stays on fly wheel what up or how do I fix that?