I have a 1986 soft tailr custom it is the first Harley-Davidson I ever owned with a starter motor. I need to know what the eastiest  way  to put a new starter motor in. do you need to take the inner and outer primery  off or can you do it by taking the oil tank out

Sharkey just had a word to my mates one has got a 1984 softtail the other one has got a 1986 softtail and they rekon you dont have to take anything of to get to the starter motor.I know my 1996 dyna i didnt have to take anything of that when i changed the starter motor.I hope this helped you and i hope i have got it right.