Starting Issue on 1996 UltraClassic Evo

it is not a hard job....the best tool will be a factory service manual. it will give you the torques also.....hope this helps. 2 hrs is about right, if you have done it before.....if not 3 to 4. have fun and let us know!!!

Could be the starter,

One culprit would also be a bad power connection, check the ground connections, be sure they are tight and clean, where they touch the frame, put a star washer.

If you have the single wire to the starter consider doing an upgrade to the newer dual wire ground like the newer bikes have, two ground contact points.

If the wires are old, hard, or worn replace them, clean up the connection areas

Check the battery, it may be discharging while it sits, might be time for a new battery, HD's AGM are the best, last the longest and hold up to heat the best.

Find out if a dealer for Deka Batteries is in your area, they make HD batteries and you can get one for less than HD sells them

Once you determine that the charging system is functioning properly then move on to the starter.

remove the end cap from the starter (allen screws on chrome cap) and BE SURE THE BIKE IS IN NEUTRAL
press in the end of the solenoid using a punch or tip of a screwdriver, see if it engages easily.

If this works and you continue to have problems from the switch on the bars, follow the wires from the starter to the switch and look for a break or problem or maybe the switch itself is going out.

You can put a chrome cover that you can get from Custom Chrome (Indy shops etc) to replace that stock cover and the new cover has a button so you flip on the ignition and reach down and press the button on the starter, makes a good backup and it looks cool...

Regarding changing starters, yes you will have to pull the primary cover as there is a bolt going through the jackshaft remove the bolt, then you can pull the starter from the other side by removing the two allens in the inner primary cover (remove pos and neg ground wires first) be careful you watch for the starter to jackshaft coupler in there and keep it on the starter in the correct direction and transfer to the new starter, yes there is a right and wrong direction.

and get the SM so you have all the steps, it's not hard, just time consuming.

oh and when you have the end cover off the starter solenoid, pull out the brass bits and see if they are worn sometimes a bit of sanding wil lclean them up and fix the problem

Start with power first

good advise!!!! a lot of typing, but good advise! lol lol

he must cut & past a lot :roflmao: but still sound advice , try the easy stuff it's cheaper , & like chuck if you don't have the book try to find one makes it easier

yeah lot of typing..

but you want to be sure they test it all.

$21 is just as good as $100

For now pull the chrome cover and check the brass parts, clean them up with some emery cloth.

Check battery
check cables

got a digital multi meter? If not go to home despot or lowes and get one not a super expensive
but digital is better.

Remove the starter wire from the end of the starter by taking the clip out, turn on ignition and see what voltage you're getting, if you have a big drop say you get 9 or 8 volts but show 13+ at the battery it could be a bad wire or switch in the housing.