Hopped one the rigid to get home tonight and had a pretty major problem. While riding down the street I heard a strange "whirring" noise. Thought it was my generator so I bent down to put my hand on it and realized the noise was the starter, it was still spinning! I pulled over and tossed the seat and tore into the tool bag to get the battery cable off- So anyhow, I assume the solenoid has shit the bed? Maybe it is my starter button (the bike is pretty minimal - has a toggle switch for the magneto and a push button to start it)? Anyone ever have the same problem and offer some advise? Thanks- oh, this is on a '70 ironhead sportster
[ QUOTE ] So anyhow, I assume the solenoid has shit the bed? [/ QUOTE ] WARNING! DO NOT read HAMB posts while eating, you could die! roflmfaoctd! (ctd= choking to death!) Uhm, I don't know squat about harleys, but an easy way to troubleshoot the suspected switch, is after you have the starter fully disconnected, put a voltmeter on the wires and see if you have control of the current with the switch or not...
I was waiting for that one! That is a definate possibility - the electric start has been nothing but trouble
9 times out of 10 it's the solenoid. Iron sportys with that shitty starter (pre '81) that draws enough juice to kill a city block like to put the hurt on the solenoids. Are you running a starter relay (I hope)or did you wire the switch to kick the solenoid in/out and spin the starter at the same time? I had a hot sporty that used a toggle switch instead of a momentary switch, it was also in a rigid, every great once in a while the switch would get flipped and start running the bitch while going down the road! never did figure out if it was because the chain on my wallet hit it, major bump (they're all major on a hardtail with no seat) or flying road debris.
no relay - never thought of that, good idea - that would take some strain off the switch wouldn't it? I didn't wire the bike but it may get rewired this winter - I want to move the battery anyhow out of the oil tank (have to remove the tank to get the battery out) and put it down behind the tranny. I don't think that is the best looking option but probably the most practical.
[ QUOTE ] kick-start man... [/ QUOTE ] have you ever kicked an ironhead sporty . . . 1 out of every 5 kicks will not hook up and I almost broke my knee one time kicking one of those pigs over . I couldnt walk for three days . it was very humiliating ! hahaha . I jumped on that fucker and the gear didnt catch and the kicker took my leg all the way around , almost folded it in half backwards . I would have an electric starter on one of those anyday .
i have a '72 sporty,i converted to a kickstart.be aware that you might need to do some machine work to make the parts fit if you buy the stuff from bigtwin.BTW =mike= the "not-hooking-up" problem is the ratchet on the back of the clutch drum needs replaced.
sounds right to me . . . allI know is it kicked my ass . I had heard that that was a weak link , so to say in that area . I guess if anything is built the way it is supposed to be , nothing woould ever break , but boy that really sucked to be me for about a week .
The Jalopy Journal
