Starter Issues

I am a new harley owner and I have a 91 FXRS Lowrider. I believe I am having started problems. When I hit the start switch, I hear the relay click, but no sound from the starter. Sometimes, the starter will turn over the engine fine.....but it seems to work less and less.

I asked a tech about the problem and he was pushing toward a starter clutch problem, but I think it may not be that.

Any suggestions
-Justin

There is very little probability that from the symtoms you have stated that your starter clutch is bad. The solenoid may be bad, but I'd first check out the battery for charge and load.

Now the Battery

Thanks for the suggestions. I went home and hooked up the battery to a charger. The charger had a special switch for starting a dead engine. When I flipped the switch and more power was sent into the bike, it started with no problem. Funny thing, I just bought that battery. Anyway, what specs should I look for when buying a battery? 1.8, 1.4 ...some even show 2.0 . What is the highest output that I should get without frying out the electrical system?

-Justin

The numbers you list here look like Kilowatt ratings for starters. Get the higheset Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) battery you can find. I got a thunderheart 350CCA and havent had issues since installed. I also got real good battery cables. The more strands the better. I cleaned every thing up. Also, make sure you double ground your system. Run two grounds from the starter bolt, one to the neg side of the battery and one to the frame. Bad grounds can be a bitch to diagnose.

More battery info

Not to disagree with Goliath, but just a FYI. Battery CCA ratings get higher in the same physical size battery case by adding more (thinner) plates. That works well until you get to the extremes & then you can be trading a "rating" for the usable life of a battery! The thinner plates are more susceptible to shorting &/or breakage, especially when exposed to high vibration.(motorcycles & off-road vehicles) Yes, they usually offer a longer warranty & that is just an insurance policy, not necessarily meaning they will work better or last longer. (IMHO) If everything on your bike is performing as designed, the factory rated battery, plus a few CCA depending on your area & riding habits will perform without a problem. Again, this is only a FYI...not gospel or meant argumentative. Do keep all connections clean & secure as Goliath recommends. Hope this helps some?
Steve

I remanufacture starters including harleys...<<my FT job!!

To me its more than likely a "solenoid-contact" problem... 99 out of 100 HD starters ive fixed over the past 12yrs use a NIPPONDENSO-GEAR REDUCTION starter. these starters ALWAYS<<{not exaggerating}!!!A L W A YS go bad from solenoid contact wear...Intermittent starting failure,clicking and eventually death of the starter will happen. u can fix this problem without taking the starter out!!!! If u can get a hold of some NIPPONDENSO GEAR REDUCTION CONTACTS from an auto electrical rebuilder take off the house shaped plate w/3 screws NOT THE ROUND MOTOR COVER!!!!w/2 big thru bolts & 2 smaller Phillips screws!!! youll see a plunger & spring. Pull them out & youll see 2 worn out copper contacts these are held in by 2 copper bolts,2 nuts and 2 washers. Replace with new contacts & put it all back together!! Its easier than it sounds & u dont have to pull the whole starter & it only costs a few bucks for the contacts!!!! if u can get your hands on a pair of them. that might take some looking around & asking starter & alternator builders like me!! If u attempt this good luck!!! or talk to me sometime!!?? - EDNIGHTRAIN@MSN.COM please note this isnt a sales pitch! i was just bored & felt like helpin u out with my knowledge...LATER!

This is a great tip, thanks, I will go shopping for this soon.

I would still do the load test on the battery like hrk said after giveing it a full charge, and load testing can be done at a napa, auto zone etc for free, (out of bike), then check the cables to and from the starter for condition and connection, after that the ez free checks are done then your at the starter contacts/solinoid, and about the battery if it is bad then if you just bought it it is probably under warranty, use it, if not then I woould stick with the stock battery for the bike. JMO