My wife's 2002 FatBoy appears to need a new starter. Can Harley starters be rebuilt or is it a throw away piece? How hard is it to change a Harley starter? What kind of starter would you replace the unit with? New, rebuilt, spyke,or some other method?

Thanks for your input!!

 

What usually goes bad is what Harley calles a starter clutch. It's equivalent to the bendix on an old Ford starter. It's what makes the gear extend and engage the ring gear. It can be replaced without replacing the whole starter so it will save a few bucks. It's not that hard except you have to pull the primary cover on the left side to remove the jack bolt.

How is it acting that you think you need a starter? Have you checked the battery and the cables on the other end where they bolt to the frame and starter? A lot of times it can be a problem with the ground cable at the frame.

 

Like Raftgyde stated the part that usually goes is easily replaced and pretty cheap as far as Harley repairs go !

 

I have had the battery checked and all the connections seem to be good. It just seems to drag or hesitate upon hitting the start button. It is hard to believe it could be a bad starter with only 22,000 miles on the bike. Charging system seems to be good and battery is kept on a tender.
I talked to my local indie and he wants me to bring it by so he can diagnose it. He is generally pretty fair. Hopefully it doesn't need a starter replacement.

Thanks again for your input!

 

Took bike in today to diagnose problem. Battery and connections good. I think he said the armature is going out of the starter. He said if it was his he would run it until it got worse. Not sure what I am going to do. I'll let you know later!

Thanks Again!

 

I think I'd fix it versus getting stranded somewhere. Man, it's hard to push start a Fatboy.

 

Do you have a service manual for that bike? I had a similar problem with my old wide-glide. Turned out to be the starter clutch in my case, but the service manual should detail how to check the armature using an Ohm meter.

Oh yeah, remember, 2nd gear to push start.

 

How many hours do you think should be charged for replacing the starter?

 

I did the one on my old Wide-Glide once in two hours. I was messy about it and had done it a few times but I didn't even put it on a jack. I wouldn't think it would take an experienced mechanic any longer than that to do a swap. Longer maybe if they're gonna bench test it or repair it.

 

I found the source of the problem. After Autozone, the local HD dealer, and Hot Bike dealer all said the battery was fine I decided to visit one last independant shop. He did a check with his meter and said that he thought it was the battery. He offered to put the new battery in for me to try and if that didn't fix the problem I wouldn't have to pay for it. It appears at this point that he was correct and the problem was a bad battery. No charge for diagnoses and installed the battery with only a charge for the battery itself.

I feel so much better now!

I guess it pays to get a 2nd,3rd and 4th opinion!

Thanks for all of your inputs!

harleyboy63401