G'day all. 

I have a starter motor problem on my '08 FLHRCU ('07 build date).

We were off for a ride to Sydney' Hooters restaurant just after Xmas. The bike fought the starter motor a little bit, but fired up anyway. I thought "Sounds like I'm up for a starter motor before too long". Little did I realise that it would be so soon.

When we were leaving Sydney (Rose Hill) it sounded like the starter drive was slipping a bit, but still started and I drove out of the carpark, then waithed for the others in the servo next door. Some decided to fill up their bikes and after a bit of a wait idling in the mid- afternoon heat, I decided to take the chance and turn it off before the engine overheated. Finally, everyone was ready to roll and they took off, but (lucky me) I was going nowhere. When I hit it, the starter motor made no attempt to engage the engine. All it would do is free-spin like a dentist's drill. Bugger. Luckily for me the tailgunner ad done his job and was waiting for me to leave, so I at leat I had a team member for the Rose Hill bike bobsled team.

Bloody hell, those 1540 engines are a damn site harder to clutch than my old 1340 was. We tried 2nd gear and just laid rubber through the servo forecourt and down to the road. We tried 3rd gear but it didn't spin the engine enough to fire it. Back to 2nd and had another go. After about five (and the final) attempts, it locked up, farted, locked up, then fired again and kept on running. Seems the trick was that when it first fired, don't pull the clutch in and grab the throttle. I just let it continue, skid agin and then fire again with the clutch out, then give it a little throttle. Bit spooky though as when it fired and ran I was thrust on to the road before it was stable enough to continue running. Had to time it with the traffic lights at this busy intersection.

The missus was on her own bike so we bid the tailgunner a big thank you and farewell, then took off non-stop back to Newie. I gave the rest a wave when we passed them as they were stopped at the servo just before the freeway, but I wasn't risking stopping. Got the bike home and garaged it with a few decriptive expletives. I had plenty to do around the house in the next few days and I didn't absolutely NEED the bike until the Tamworth HOG rally in late Feb, so there it stayed. 

Then to upset the billycart even more, 2 weeks ago I crash-tackled the wizbin taking it down our steep, wet, pebblestone driveway and managed to break my leg in the process and am now in a cast for at least 6 weeks. FMD! The rally's out the window and I'm trying to be a good little boy with my leg because in 8 weeks we fly to the USA for 3 weeks of sin and debauchery. 

I won't have time before we leave to pull the starter motor out of the bike and check what's actually occurred. It's at home in the garage and I won't get to it because I've been away from our car workshop for 2 weeks now and next week one of my two mechanics is off for 3 weeks snowboarding in Japan, so I'll be back on deck next week (here's hoping), riding a knee scooter between customers' cars if the leg's stable enough. ARGH!

So here we go, I'm hoping that someone on the forum has had experience with HD starter problems who can have an educated guess and tell me whether to expect a stripped bendix drive or whether it'll be a stripped starter shaft spline itself. I'm hoping to drop into a shop wne I'm in the USA and grab one when I'm on the road between Vegas and San Francisco via Los Angeles. That should at least save me a couple of bucks on freight. A starter motor in the carry-on should scare the bejesus out of TSA.

Alternatively, has anyone had any experience with a beefier starter motor swap-out such as those from Drag Specialties / All Balls / Arrowhead / Terry Components?

I'd appreciate any input you can give me.

Whoops, too many letters, it's an FLHRC. Raod King, not an Ultra.

I have had what seems to be the same problem as well as 2 other mates.

Got a new starter clutch from the dealer and as good as new.

It's an easy job about 15 minutes after removing the starter.

Thanks bigblock57, hoping that's the problem. Mine was also making some clunking or proor meshing sounds for the last few rides as well. Is this similar to what yours experienced?

Yeah mine was doing the clunking and bad meshing sounds.

However on a trip up north one of the mates just failed overnight,you should try to push start an ultra with a trailer.

His fix was a new complete starter from the dealer because it was easier for us to replace that with the tools we had with us.

Haven't you had a fun time !!!

2007 and up tourers dont require removal of the primary cover to remove and install the starter motor ,, on your bike remove 2 x bolts , (access from right side ,, a long extension is required ),, and remove starter motor ...
Before removing starter, there are a couple of things to do,,
1. disconnect battery
2. disconnect large cable from battery to starter
3. disconnect solenoid plug cable

From your description ,, it sounds like the starter clutch has failed .. Option 1. Easy fix ,, buy and install new starter clutch , yourself , or an auto electrician .

Option 2 ,, seeing your going to the states ,, buy a after market complete starter , (that fits your bike), and send it home ,, (old starter out ,, new starter in ) ..

If I was going to the states , I would go with option 2 ,, save a few bucks .. and all bases are covered ,,

Hope your legs heals ok ,,, so you can have plenty of sex and debauchery on your trip,, if not ,, tell your wife to check out some new interesting positions !!! Cheers .

Thanks mate, you're a legend. It'll be heaps easier just grabbing the bendix drive from the HD dealer in Honolulu on the way back than carting a whole starter. More room for room for Patron tequila in the bag :-)
Owe you a margarita…

Thanks for the input, Mark.

Yes, I snooped out the $7 downloaded pdf manual and saw (with relief) that I didn't need to dismantle the primary. Whew!

We have the neccessar tools, etc to do the job in the w/shop, but I was hoping not to have to spend $$$ on the bits. Felling the pinch this year, as most businesses are. It seem that if you have your doors still open in Oz, that's classes as successful at the moment. We'd planned and paid for most of the trip about a year ago and my time off is really stretching the budget. However, If I stumble on a monster starter for a bargain price over there, I'll probably grab it anyway. Might add another 10kg carry on baggage now for about $20 rather than send it back. If I don't get the starter, the missus will still fill it with clotehes and shoes anyway.

My 93 Heritage has trouble starting sometimes but only when it gets hot after a good ride, when I hit the starter button the starter motor make a grinding noise but not all the time a few people I have spoken to said it sounds like the starter motor solenoid playing up, so could they be right and any idea what it could be.

Sorry for the hi-jack Harleynut but your thread saves me starting a new one on starter motor issues.

 

I'm not sure how the HD starter works, but on a car (and it's a long shot, and probably not the cause here), but it is possible the battery doesn't have enough oomph to throw throw the pinion gear (is that it?) onto the clutch ring gear.... but still spin the starter motor....

I have a 2007 Street Bob and was told back in 2010 that the starter clutch was the problems... all I do is make sure the bike is in neutral and hot the starter as soon as I turn the ignition switch and most of the time it fires straight away... 

If it doesn't fire it sounds awefull... maybe I'll do an audio take for peeps

 

Choco, sounding like your problem may e similar to mine before it eventually went west.
Colstah, I was a little sceptical that the starter clutch (bendix) was the problem. That's why I asked the forum before purchasing, as I won't have time if capacity to get it apart before we go to the USA. Can't vouch for others, but my battery was okay.
Uncle Ho, is your's a 96cu or a 103cu? The missus bought a '14 Street Bob and that 103cu flicks over sweet, which surprised me. I expected ot to struggle. I'd love a decompressor valve on mine.

+1, starter drive clutch.