Strater Problems - 1981 Heritage 1340cc

Starter Problems - 1981 Heritage 1340cc Shovelhead

Anybody have an idea how to remove the starter from a 1981 FLHE Harley Davidson Heritage Shovelhead? Its got a big 1340cc engine. I cant find the 2nd bolt that holds the starter case in.

Do I have to remove the housing and the starter together? Anybody have a diagram I can look at or some photos?

Help me please. I just bought this bad boy. I got a new starter and solinoid. The problem I am having is it cranks the motor for a few seconds then the starter just spins, the winnnnnggggggg sound and of course the engine does not crank over.

Does anyone think it could just be the solinoid and not the starter itself?

Thanks in advance for any help.

JD
sales@nitro-net.com

Hey Heebeha,

I hate to see questions go unanswered and the weekend is over so maybe you fixed your problem. I don't know much about your engine so I can't tell you where the other bolt is, sorry.

The problem sounds strange when it engages and then disengages. I think you are doing the right thing by taking the starter out. I would check the starter gear and the clutch ring gear and look for wear.

Hope this helps. If you got it off this weekend let us know what you found.

Tom

I have a Twin Camm 88 so I'm not sure if the Shovel is set up the same. On mine you have to remove the outer primary to get to the jack shaft. On my engine you have to remove the jack shaft in order to get the starter out.

Hope this helps.

Ahh !

And what fine job you did too

Hee Could at least let us know if we where helpful. And do it twice

Still working on it

The solenoid I got was the wrong one. Do you all think it could be the solenoid thats not keeping the starter pushed out, The solenoid is separate from the starter. Its not on top of the starter like most starters. Its away from the starter, near the head/gear. I have a strange feeling its the solenoid because the starter turns, its just not keeping engagedlong enough to start the bif 1340cc engine.

heebeha,

In my humble opinion it is not the starter at all. Nor is it the solenoid. It is what I always called the starter bendix. It is called a starter drive today. On my shovelhead it was the gear that jumped out onto the clutch gear to turn over the motor. This gear will turn backwards but locks in to turn the clutch gear, when the motor starts it will spin backward out off the clutch. Hope this make sense. If you take the outer primary off you will see the starter gear behind the clutch gear. I would have to go and find my service manual to say if the starter had to come off to take it off. I don't think so, but i think the solenoid arm does. Maybe someone else has a better explanation for the procedure. Hope this helps.
paco

It is the Bendex / shaft gear

I took out the bendix but how in the world do I get the nut off to get the damm bendix off the shaft? I know its left handed. How to get a grip on the shaft to turn the nut is where I am having problems. Anybody have a secret or do I need to just take the shaft with the bendix on it to the shop to have them do it for me?

I am saving $350 I spent on the starter and solenoid so I may just take it in unless someone has a secret potion to get the nut off?

Thanks everyone for all your help. I hope to return my knowledge back to the forum.

JD

problem solved

took it to my local parts supplier. The head wrench put some heat on it put it in vice and took off te nut for me for free. Engine turns bit tales a few pushes of the button to turn over. Any ideas? I am more concerned that it won't start. I have new battery, changed the oil, new filter any plugs in my saddle bags ready to install. Any insight?

I think its not getting spark. Checking after happy hour. I want to ride my new bitch. Its killing me. Such killer bike I want to ride her