By the time I'm done explaining this, you'll know I'm not the least bit knowledgable about motorcycle mechanics. So here it goes! About the last week or so my starter would spin (not always) real quickly when trying to start. Kinda sounded like turning on a blender (with nothing in it of course). Then usually on the 2nd try, it would engage and the bike wuld fire right up. Yesterday, it spun like 4 times before actually engaging. Now it wont engage at all. I bought a clymer manual a few months ago, because I've always had a manual for every vehicle I've ever known, and repaired those things which I felt I was capable of doing.

Trying to read the Clymer on what to do, did not really assure me I could do this job. Here's my questions.

1. Does it sound like my starter needs replaced, or could it be something else?

2. Is changing the starter something I should leave up to a professional mechanic, or something I could do on my own. I'm not mechanically stupid, but no a genius either.

3. What is the average cost of getting a starter replaced?

Thanks in Advance!!!

Mike

 

Sounds like a solenoid problem to me. The starter spins, but is not getting engaged to the engine. I have never done this on a Harley, so I can't tell you how difficult it would be. However, I wouldn't expect it to be that hard. If it were mine, I would do it myself, but I don't get discouraged by projects I haven't done before.
[align=left] [/align]

 

Sounds like a bad starter clutch. I've had this happen twice on my 2000 Softtail, it's a pain in the butt! Nothing like getting stranded, it's not easy push starting a bike when you're alone! The job is a bit of a pain, you need to drain the primary, remove the oil tank and rear exhaust, remove the starter, and replace the starter clutch. I don't have the time or patience for that, I brought mine to the shop. Caution: don't just let the HD dealer replace the starter clutch with a stock replacement, go for a heavy duty aftermarket one. The Harley unit is weak, they fail often when faced with high compression motors or marginal batteries and charging systems. I'm going with an ALLBALLS unit, which should last much longer. Good luck!

 

I just had the same problem days ago and brought it to the stealer. Heres a break down from my invoice to give you an idea.
1 clutch SUB-ASSY $113.95
1 Thrust Washer$2.95
1 Lockplate$0.99
1 Primary gasket$30.95
1 Clutch cover gasket $7.95
1 insp gasket$3.95
1insp gasket$0.99
1 Formula+Lub,Quart $5.95
$167.68
Labor 2hrs $150.00

Total$317.68