O.K here are some new dumb questions to my probable bendix problem. Because of my job problem, my lack of time and lack of courage ( and money) and special tools, my probable bendix problem has become so bad the starter will not engage at all and does nothing but spin. I did remove the starter and bench test it and it spins strong as can be. Now I figure it is either the starter solenoid or bendix, probably the latter. I will attempt to attach pics. Question #1 everything I have seen and read show the starter solenoid mounted nest to the starter or attached to it. mine is under the battery box and voltage regulator. Is this right or a mutant!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please take a look at the pics and let me know if all is oin the right spot I will also post a pic of the starter----any input will be helpful----Thks Jeff[IMG]http://i8

 

i dont see any pics.might want to post some more and say what year and model.---mine is an 81 and it is next to the starter.i cant really comment on your problems cuz i have never had my starter off before......and am no starrter expert ...but to me if it spins on the bike then the solenoid must be working and it is just not engaging the engine.maybe someone will come along cuz it seems to me people have alot of trouble with the bendix/area of ironhead starters.also i have never seen anything about ironheads solenoids being under the battery but who knows they might have been......even if it is a mutant that doesnt mean its a bad fix...just different...good luck

 

I think we answered this question in a different thread or in a different forum a week or so ago? Anyway, you are looking at the starter relay "under the battery box and voltage regulator" on the left side of the bike. The solenoid is under the battery box - but you have to look from the right side of the bike.

 

Jeff.....
Here is something to consider.
You say that the starter ran fine when you bench tested it?
You also say that the starter just spins when you hit the start button?

If the answer to those 2 questions is yes, then the starter and the Bendix [a.k.a. solenoid] and the starter relay are all working fine.

If the starter does not engage the engine, and that sounds to be the case, then the problem is most likely sitting on the end of the starter pinion shaft. The problem is certainly not your Bendix (a.k.a. solenoid) or relay.
See the pic below......



The item I am talking about here is item #20. You will have to remove it to test the thing, but it contains a ratchet/lock feature inside the assembly.

If you are looking at the gear standing on the left side of the bike, this gear should lock when rotated in a counter clockwise direction.
The gear should 'ratchet' when rotated in a clockwise direction.

If it does not lock, then it is not working. What happens to these things is the ratchet feature wears out. Once it does not lock, the result is the starter shaft does throw the gear outward to engage with the gear on the clutch basket, but because it no longer locks, the starter motor (and pinion shaft #22) just spins freely inside gear #20.

Once you remove this gear and rotate it, you can see if it locks in a CCW direction and ratchets in a CW direction........... or ratchets in both directions. This is a fairly common problem.
If you need instruction on how to remove it, just let us know. And again, your year model is?
pg

 

I beleive you are exactly right-have a compent fuy to fix for a fair price--------thks again-Jeff

 

you are right I tend to re-evaluate the re-evaluated----got a good guy to fix for a fair price--------thks again--jeff

 

OK, good luck with it.
But be sure to let us know if it was the ratchet gear that your repair person finds as the problem.
pg