I just finished closing up my 2009 StreetGlide and wanted to get oil pressure up before doing my heat cycle. I removed the spark plugs and the fuel pump fuse and started cranking the engine using the starter (AllBalls 1.4kw starter). I ran it until the battery started getting weak (the oil pressure light was still on) and proceeded to recharging the battery. When I went in for a 2nd shot, the engine turned over 3 times and the whole bike shut off (no more lights/radio/etc.) and there was a burnt smell. After a short while (I did remove and re-insert the main fuse) the power came back on but the starter is just clicking now and not engaging the ring gear.
I think I may have burnt the starter solenoid but wanted some feedback before I start the repairs.

 

How long did you run it? If you run a starter motor too long it can overheat and burn the windings, especially if the battery was low. Could be the solenoid too. You'll have to pull it and have it tested.

 

You would have probably never gotten the light off even though you had enough of a prime after about ten seconds of cranking.

 

Did ya check voltage at the battery?

I know you said it was on charge, but did you verify that it actually was accepting the charge? What you describe could still be just a low battery...

 

battery flat or cables loose.


...and once discharged a battery looses about 65% of it's previous capacity, so be aware that even if your accepts a charge, it's life is shortened.

applying power to a starter that is not turning will kill it, the windings will burn up- you might hear a whine- if you hit the button and it doesn;t turn, release the button


oiling up a bike- running a starter with little resistance takes almost no power ( consider i use a dewalt to oil up v8's)

running an ignition system with no load, may well blow the coils.
on any electronic ignition you need to ground the plug shells when cranking


mike

 

If you ran the starter too long and got it hot....It's toast!
I usually run'em for a few seconds to get some oil in there and then fire'em up!

Assembly lube is your friend.

 

Thanks for all the input, I'll pull the starter tonight and have a closer look.

 

I think I'll start by trying my new battery, I did the priming with my original battery (2009) which I meant to change this year anyway. I'll install my new battery and see if it works. I'm still concerned about the burnt smell though, something did get hot the second time.

 

The burnt smell was more than likely the starter....Try the battery, but don't count on it doing much.

 

I was afraid someone would say that...
I see there is a solenoid rebuild kit available for the 80-1013 All ***** starter. In your experience, do you think I can get away with just a solenoid rebuild with the expected damage? I guess if the windings have burnt I'll need a whole new starter.