This post sort of goes on from my one about the sheared Suspension bolt. We were wondering how you guys get to the two top bolts around the starter on the inner primary. Is it necessary to remove the starter and oil tank. Not sure that later models had bolts here as the HD manual doesn't mention these two!
Perhaps someone has a special bendy tool to get in there?

 

Your life will be much easier if you go ahead and pull the oil tank.

 

thought so….. rats..

 

I'm not sure how different the '86 is from my '85 but I got the starter bolts out pretty easy with the tank on. I do how ever have the rear wheel off along with the plastic lower inner fender piece.

 

yeah....two bolts hold the starter on and if you smart you can get a long allen key (one of the ones that can be used at an angle) in and undo it. I have never removed my oil tank when removing my inner primary, but I'm an 86 FXR.

NOTE...there is normally a single bolt coming in from the far side of the inner primary that also has to be removed - on my bike it doubles as the earth strap bolt. You can get to it from under the bike without too much trouble.

 

Not hard to get the bolts OUT at all...getting them back in without cross-threading, and getting the starter sealed up where it doesn't leak oil is the problem.

 

YUP, Its best to pull the tank.

 

I also have an 86 flst. When I had my inner primary out I was able to remove the starter without pulling the oil tank.

I remember cussing a little putting it back in but at least I didn't have to deal with the oil tank.

 

We managed to get it on and off the first time without taking out the starter or the tank but it was a devil, figured it would have been easier (but a longer job) if we had stripped the bike down further. As it is we have to do it again as the inner primary case is leaking oil now (around the main drive shaft). Waiting for a new gasket set and will renew them all if we have to do this much work. All this for one stupid bolt which should not be able to fail under normal working conditions, I only weigh 133pounds damn it.