I'm having a problem with my starter...first,its an all ***** hi-torquestarter in a 1988 FXRS..I was thinking it was the pinion gear..but I'll describe it the best I can...attempt to start the bike and the starter is attempting to engage itseems just as the pinion gear touches the ring gear it stops and there is that whinny sound from the starter and then a clunk...if I spin the starter shaft by hand I feel/hear a grinding..any suggestions...I'm going to pull the starter...just like to have an idea what to expect..anyone have an idea what the problem might be?

 

Sounds like a starter cluch to me. I have put 4 or 5 in mine. the All ***** one seemed to last the best, until the idler gear went in my 1.4K SE starter and damaged the armature gear. Then I just replaced the whole thing with a All ***** 1.6K. ( and did a couple other things ) NO PROBLEMS NOW.

Look there first.

 

Yes, Be prepared to re-build it or replace it. Could be a bad clutch as mentioned or gearset. If you are taking it out you might as well take it to a rebuilder (unless you do it yourself)and have all the components that transmit torque ( bearings, bushings,gears,clutch, sealsetc.)redone. Otherwise you can get into the situation where you replace one then the other one goes then you replace it and a third one goes...then you have the frickin starter apart 6 times and it becomes a religious experience[:@]...don't ask how I know this..

Oh yeah if you have to lube the gearset...use lubriplate as it will last a long time and withstandlots of heat.

 

+1 on the starter clutch, they are pretty easy to change if you know what your doing