I have a 1996 fxdl with a major starting problem. Everything in the starting system has been replaced over the last year. I will get it back from the shop and it will start fine for a little bit but sooner or later the ring gears strip and no start. I have had 3 mechs look at it and the problem is still there. my local Harley dealer looked at me like I was nuts and told me basically they could start guessing at the problem but they didn't even know where to start. Now my shop thinks its in the ignition sysm. but my faith in him is shot. anyone ever have a problem like this before? any info will help. Please help me stay on my Harley

 

what starter are you using? what battery? is it an aftermarket starter? do you know the cold cranking amps on your battery?

 

The stock starter was replaced with a new one from Harley. I put in a new batt. this year I do not know the cca of the battery.

 

When you replace the ring gear and the starter pinion gear does the bike start up within 2-5 seconds or do you have to crank till it starts?

 

Is the motor stock, or high compression?

 

It is a stock 80" evo. I bought the bike used and was told it has a cam , s&s carb and screaming eagle ign.module. other than that and pipes its all stock.

 

when the ring gear and what not is replaced it starts fine. 2-5 sec I don't know , as it is a carb bike not efi if its cold out or damp it is a lil harder to start.

 

If you're chronically tearing up ring and pinions, you have a misalignment problem.

Has anyone pulled the primary cover, yanked the plugs, and just watched to see whats happening when you spin the motor over?

 

How long have you had the bike and is this a new problem or did it come with the purchase? Did you buy it from the original owner? If not did you buy it from the person that did the cam, pipes etc..? If not it may be possible there has been more work performed internally (more compression). When you say hard starting when it's cold do you mean it cranks a lot before it starts or does it struggle to crank over? Sorry for all the questions but it may help solve your problem.

 

You ain't jerking around on the fuel are you? If the bike was designed to be run on high octane fuel you should run it on that. The "flash point" of fuels is different. I used to put in the expensive gas in my company car every once and a while to supposedly clean out the jets. The car was very hard to start with high octane fuel in a car designed to run on low octane.