Starter grinding

I have a custom built softail with a 98 Evo style setup. I have a 100 ci. Revtech engine, Custom Chrome wet Primary kit, Spykes Starter, & high amp glass mat battery, everything is new.......
My problem is that the starter does not stay engaged while starting, it seems that the solonoid is not holding the starter engaged. It disengages after the first revolution of the engine, then grinds. Sometimes it will grinds on initial engagement ......I have installed compression reliefs on the motor, to try to make it easier to turn, I have removed the primary cover and checked the depth of the gear engagement, it is going completely in but kicks out when under load.... The only way I can crank the engine is to jog the starter like I was using a kick start......
The problem seems to be getting worse, and is driving me up the wall.....It is very imbarassing also.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

Try the easy thing first and check all of your ground wires and cables.

All wiring has been checked, all wire ends are soldered, no spliced wires, all connections tight.........Starter has plenty of power........I'm thinking that the solenoid is not strong enough to hold it engaged when the engine kicks back on compression stroke........

What gauge are the cables? Large 6-8 strand or fine strand? Fine strand cables like Terry handle more current with less loss.

Simple way to test your system is to bypass the switch and relay and jump from the hot post to the starter solenoid. If it spins over without kick back, go backwards and check the relay and wiring. Quite often the relay or the wiring is the problem. The available current to the relay must be able to keep the relay closed. The wiring from the battery to the relay must be of sufficient gauge to provide the right current to the starter solenoid.


If it does not spin over properly, look at the starter for it's KW rating. Big inch or high compression engines require higher KW starters. My new FXR is using the extended 1.8 Terry Components Slugger starter. The Rev-Tech engines have some compression and I do not want headaches.

I also used the 90-93 ring and pinon gear. bigger ring gear teeth, better ratio, fewer ground up ring gears.

http://www.directparts.com/static/articles/motorcycle_gears.htm

Did you ever get your grinding problem fixed? Had the same probem with one of my bikes... I almost pulled all my hair out getting it figured out.

I had the same problem. every thing checked out OK. make shore the battery has full charge and try this hold down on the front cylinder compression release with one finger and crank it after it starts let off. My bike starts this way every time. I have been doing this three years now starts every time. let me know how it works.

Except, the 100" RevTech does not have releases and adding them voids the warranty. Manual releases need to be removed and cleaned periodically or they will remain partially open and allow nice fresh air into the engine and do nasty things to the tops of the pistons and the valves.

i have the same revtech 100 and i am on my 3rd starter. i tried the 1.6 but the starter body interferes with the tranny magnetic pickup and will not fit. my motor is offset 1" for the 250 rear tire (and tranny too) so the pickup on the tranny hits the starter wire coming out of the solenoid. the 1.2s just burn right up. Any hints on what i can do?
Someone told me to ditch the magnetic pickup and put a flat plate in place. and then get a gear driven speedo for the front wheel. trouble is my speedo is electronic and dont want to replace the entire unit with a cable unit.

I just wanted to let everyone know I found the problem. I had to replace the starter clutch..........It's just my luck that I would buy a new defective starter........I'm headed to Myrtle Beach with a starter that doesn't grind......................