I do not have a sporty, YET, this is for a friend who is off the grid.

He wants to add an electric starter to it. How is that accomplished?

Does he just remove the cover plate and add the solenoid and starter?

Is there a ring gear already on the clutch hub?

He and I is thanking everyone in advance

 

Is his case designed for adding a starter?

I got this off Ronnie's HD microfiche, it's for a 1979 XLCH, but it looks like the clutch hub has the starter ring on the hub.

https://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche...eydavidsonmc/2

It looks like the crankcase has the hump for the starter.

https://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche...eydavidsonmc/2

It looks like it can be done, good luck. Check out the other diagrams, looks like a lot of additional parts that may be challenging to find today. But, he can always sell the bike to you and your dream will happen. He can buy a newer bike with electric start. Win, win.

Hope this helps.

John

 

Thanks I'll ask him that!!!

I'll have a picture sent to me

 

Make sure to take good care of his carrier pigeon! They love seeds and and nuts, even blackberries! Fresh clean water too!

You might want to ask about this on www.xlforum.net. A lot more early Sportster experts there than here. I'm sure someone there knows exactly what you need to do.

Once again, good luck with you and your friend's project. Keep those old Sportsters on the road!

John

 

YEP, denniskirk.com has the starter kit listed at $770. There's a lot involved to do it. To convert from XLCH to XLH (kick & electric start) ya gotta change the battery box, larger XLH battery, change the oil tank (so the bigger battery fits,) change the wiring, add the starter motor, battery/starter cables, bendix drive, starter relay and solenoid.

I have a 77 XLH with kick AND electric foot. It came that way from the MoCo. This what it should look like when it's done. NOTE oil tank, battery

 

Thanks for the link and pigeon tips

 

He has no choice if he wants to ride, he afraid of a kick start. I always kick started mine, 1973 kick and electric. I told him the right knee tastes good every now and then.

Thanks