2007 FXD with 19,500 miles

I went to go for a quick ride this morning and she wouldn't start. The starter gear spins but doesn't actually turn the motor over. Is this the starter clutch? Can I test that to be sure that's what it is? Can anything else cause this? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to take this the dealership if I don't have to.

 

were there any signs that it was getting harder to engage? Like did you have to press the starter button once or twice then it would engage and now it has just quit? If the motr is spinning then it would be the starter clutch in all likelyhood. The good news is Harley has beefed up the part since 2007 so at least you will have the upgraded version.

This already happened twice on my '08.

 

95% chance starter clutch unless broken ring gear teeth. I would open the primary cover and look while you are cranking.
FYI If the solenoid plunger didn't engage, you won't even see the starter spinning for sure. Either way a new starter is needed. I might be selling my used 07 Streetbob starter if you are interested. Good working condition!

 

It may seem like a dumb question but how fast does it spin?


The reason I ask is that when you hit the starter button power is put to the starter motor causing it to start spinning. The solenoid then pulls into engagement and puts full power to the starter motor. So a bad solenoid will still spin the motor albeit with much less power but it won't engage.

 

A quick thing I would try is to put it in gear and move the bike a bit...maybe just a bad spot in the gear.

 

Every once in a while it would need a second attempt to start, but it was pretty rare. I just bought her back in February, so I just chalked it up as normal. I'll try and rock the bike in gear as was suggested, then pull off the primary cover if that doesn't work.

Thanks for the help, guys. These forums are, as ever, a pleasant experience.