Starter Solenoid Spring Meltdown

gchoppin

gchoppin

Joined
Sep 26, 2017
Messages
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My starter started giving me trouble. The starter would not engauge. BUT, I could tap on the solenoid with a rubber handle screw driver and the starter would kick over for a few starts. I purchased the CNW starter kit to make the repairs. Heres where it get embarrassing. I failed to disconnect the hot wire to the solenoid prior to removing the starter plunger. Boom, fried the plunger spring. It's in two pieces now. Now my decision is whether to replace the starter or try to replace the spring. I think I can still buy a silver HD starter for a 883 Sportester if I choose that route. Will that starter install right in or will I have to modify? Any ideas on where I could find that spring?
 
gchoppin said:
My starter started giving me trouble. The starter would not engauge. BUT, I could tap on the solenoid with a rubber handle screw driver and the starter would kick over for a few starts. I purchased the CNW starter kit to make the repairs. Heres where it get embarrassing. I failed to disconnect the hot wire to the solenoid prior to removing the starter plunger. Boom, fried the plunger spring. It's in two pieces now. Now my decision is whether to replace the starter or try to replace the spring. I think I can still buy a silver HD starter for a 883 Sportester if I choose that route. Will that starter install right in or will I have to modify? Any ideas on where I could find that spring?
Click to expand...
This might fit.
www.jpcycles.com

Eastern Motorcycle Parts Starter Plunger Spring

www.jpcycles.com www.jpcycles.com
 
gchoppin said:
My starter started giving me trouble. The starter would not engauge. BUT, I could tap on the solenoid with a rubber handle screw driver and the starter would kick over for a few starts. I purchased the CNW starter kit to make the repairs. Heres where it get embarrassing. I failed to disconnect the hot wire to the solenoid prior to removing the starter plunger. Boom, fried the plunger spring. It's in two pieces now. Now my decision is whether to replace the starter or try to replace the spring. I think I can still buy a silver HD starter for a 883 Sportester if I choose that route. Will that starter install right in or will I have to modify? Any ideas on where I could find that spring?
Click to expand...
Don't bother with the repair. buy a new starter. Direct replacement, and you can get a better starter.
 
City Garage said:
Don't bother with the repair. buy a new starter. Direct replacement, and you can get a better starter.
Click to expand...
Yes he can get better , but he can also get worse. Don't do what I did the first time and buy a cheap ebay HD sportster starter . I'm sure City Garage can give you better advice as to which one to buy . I can give a couple suggestions as OEM HD or All Balls .
 
TonyA said:
Yes he can get better , but he can also get worse. Don't do what I did the first time and buy a cheap ebay HD sportster starter . I'm sure City Garage can give you better advice as to which one to buy . I can give a couple suggestions as OEM HD or All Balls .
Click to expand...
As always, Tony is correct. Don't buy the off-market crap. All Ball, Spyke, V Factor, I get the 1.4. its overkill but works great. 1.1 is fine.
 
City Garage said:
As always, Tony is correct. Don't buy the off-market crap. All Ball, Spyke, V Factor, I get the 1.4. its overkill but works great. 1.1 is fine.
Click to expand...
Hello,

I have installed an All balls starter on my bike.
After severy miles oil was coming out of the starter.
We dissampled the starter and the oil was going thru between the big O-ring and the bearing in the strater shaft.
The groove for the O-ring was to deep in the starter housing.
The bearing alos falls out by itself.
The dealer wan´t not to give a replacement starter engine.
Never more All Ball starter.
If I had drunk the money this would certainly have been better.
A breather kit is installed.

Cheers
Panetone
 
Panetone said:
Hello,

I have installed an All balls starter on my bike.
After severy miles oil was coming out of the starter.
We dissampled the starter and the oil was going thru between the big O-ring and the bearing in the strater shaft.
The groove for the O-ring was to deep in the starter housing.
The bearing alos falls out by itself.
The dealer wan´t not to give a replacement starter engine.
Never more All Ball starter.
If I had drunk the money this would certainly have been better.
A breather kit is installed.

Cheers
Panetone
Click to expand...
Good to know, thanks 👍
 
Panetone said:
Hello,

I have installed an All balls starter on my bike.
After severy miles oil was coming out of the starter.
We dissampled the starter and the oil was going thru between the big O-ring and the bearing in the strater shaft.
The groove for the O-ring was to deep in the starter housing.
The bearing alos falls out by itself.
The dealer wan´t not to give a replacement starter engine.
Never more All Ball starter.
If I had drunk the money this would certainly have been better.
A breather kit is installed.

Cheers
Panetone
Click to expand...
My cheap ebay starter was leaking oil and loud noises during starting also . OK then , All Balls off the list . What about OEM Harley ?
 
Panetone said:
Hello,

I have installed an All balls starter on my bike.
After severy miles oil was coming out of the starter.
We dissampled the starter and the oil was going thru between the big O-ring and the bearing in the strater shaft.
The groove for the O-ring was to deep in the starter housing.
The bearing alos falls out by itself.
The dealer wan´t not to give a replacement starter engine.
Never more All Ball starter.
If I had drunk the money this would certainly have been better.
A breather kit is installed.

Cheers
Panetone
Click to expand...
Hello Panetone , What does Ollie recommend for a replacement starter ?
 
Panetone said:
Hello,

I have installed an All balls starter on my bike.
After severy miles oil was coming out of the starter.
We dissampled the starter and the oil was going thru between the big O-ring and the bearing in the strater shaft.
The groove for the O-ring was to deep in the starter housing.
The bearing alos falls out by itself.
The dealer wan´t not to give a replacement starter engine.
Never more All Ball starter.
If I had drunk the money this would certainly have been better.
A breather kit is installed.

Cheers
Panetone
Click to expand...
Agreed, "All Balless" brand parts have been low-rent junk, sometimes not even suitable for temporary repairs.
The power of marketing. 😞
 
Ordered a V-Factor from Dennis Kirk. They offer the starter in brushed finish for the old 883 sportster. Will advise. All modern HD bikes have wet primaries so you would think they would not leak on a 961.
 
concours said:
Agreed, "All Balless" brand parts have been low-rent junk, sometimes not even suitable for temporary repairs.
The power of marketing. 😞
Click to expand...
Wow, and you have how much experience with them? If you are going to make accusations, please back it up with something. Please tell us what extensive experience you have with their HD starters or other products? Are you a dealer for them? Are you aware they have a great warranty?

Guess you should ask where some of the other vendors get their starters from as well. Just how many companies do you think make starters? Do you think there are 10 companies making Prestolite starters like the early commando ones as well?

Over 10 years of ordering from them, never had any problems with anything from All Balls. Starters, seals, bearings.
 
gchoppin said:
Ordered a V-Factor from Dennis Kirk. They offer the starter in brushed finish for the old 883 sportster. Will advise. All modern HD bikes have wet primaries so you would think they would not leak on a 961.
Click to expand...
Make sure your gasket is in good shape when you install the new one. We use Hylomar as added insurance. Also, a good time to clean that area and tidy up the wiring etc when it is out.
 
City Garage said:
Wow, and you have how much experience with them? If you are going to make accusations, please back it up with something. Please tell us what extensive experience you have with their HD starters or other products? Are you a dealer for them? Are you aware they have a great warranty?

Guess you should ask where some of the other vendors get their starters from as well. Just how many companies do you think make starters? Do you think there are 10 companies making Prestolite starters like the early commando ones as well?

Over 10 years of ordering from them, never had any problems with anything from All Balls. Starters, seals, bearings.
Click to expand...
I got nothing.
Carry on.
 
OEM HD starter here, good fit and works wayyyyyy better than the original. The choice was crinkle black or crinkle black.
Have done minimal mileage though but no leakage issues as yet.
 
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