Help! Starter problems 88 big twin

[littlebike]

my sons 1988 big twin won't start... this is what happins. I charged the battery,turned the switch on...and zing the starter turns freely.I took the solonoid off and it looked a little worse for ware but what do I know I never had a bike with a starter. So I bought another solonoid. Put It on and zing the same sound. No grinding noises, starter or solonoid are not hot to touch,just a free wheeling starter?? Help.

[gringo]

. So I bought another solonoid. .

crazy as it sounds id say you bought a bad one

thats a typical faulty solenoid sound...ive had it happen more than once

[littlebike]

Problem fixed, It was the starter gear.I'm told they take a beating when you start your bike with the clutch pulled in and now I find out thats how he starts his bike because his nutral light on his dash is blown out( I think it ia easier to change a bulb than a starter gear) but live and learn.