Way way back KustomZ had a problem with his starter bendix hitting the stop before engaging the ring gear.
Then also way back hotrodjohn71 also had the same problem.
This is back 10 years ago - and I cannot find anywhere that shows how they resolved it?
I have the very same problem and need some help in finding out what the problem is.
the bendix stop does not allow the bendix to engage the ring gear. There appears to be no adjustment any where - so I am stumped - what is wrong the starter shaft - the ring gear - the bendix - the inner casing ? any advise appreciated..
Couple things - years changed and so did the shaft length - from the picture the gear looks to far away - the gear is just a bit away usually - the end had was also replaced with a thinner one
you did not have enough info for a real answer ( IF ) you know what years all the related parts are it can be narrowed down
picture up or explain presto light starter or hitachi - flat side or cone engine 70 to 77 or later - primary year ratchet trans or Maytag - all matters
Couple things - years changed and so did the shaft length - from the picture the gear looks to far away - the gear is just a bit away usually - the end had was also replaced with a thinner one
you did not have enough info for a real answer ( IF ) you know what years all the related parts are it can be narrowed down
picture up or explain presto light starter or hitachi - flat side or cone engine 70 to 77 or later - primary year ratchet trans or Maytag - all matters
Johnjzjz - thanks for responding to my post.
The bike is a 1973 Shovelhead - the starter I am not sure and have added photo, cone engine (see photo) again not sure on gearbox see photos.
I have added as many photos - it is almost like there is a spacer missing from the back of the starter shaft where it would go into the back of the starter motor.
Thanks
Is the stop without the collar - right hand upper - same dimensions as the one next to it (on the left) - it's the width of the stop that I need to reduce or remove. I tried to machine it down but that is hardened steel...
We cut up a junk cracked outer and made a tool so we could adjust. The washer end play so the bendix does not get mauled by over throwing into the hub gear - no other way of doing it dead on
also pictured up other parts that could be - what you have is blended
the very early inner clutch hub is thicker then the later ones and i have seen that before
pull it apart and get a know to work hub and see if they match up that is another possible
We cut up a junk cracked outer and made a tool so we could adjust. The washer end play so the bendix does not get mauled by over throwing into the hub gear - no other way of doing it dead on
also pictured up other parts that could be - what you have is blended
the very early inner clutch hub is thicker then the later ones and i have seen that before
pull it apart and get a know to work hub and see if they match up that is another possible
Appears what i have is the 1965 to 1984 FHH FXE 4 speed - it's the starter shaft style that I have.
I pulled the starter - see the phototos of starter with the shaft in..
That variety is interesting because it has the complete gear reduction box included. The Denso starter motor is a nice upgrade but I'm not familiar with the jack shaft variety for those years. Good thing ya posted that pic and your photo style is the way I like to see 'em! I can't tell who made the kit but it looks like the one that fit my early five speed. It doesn't look like All Balls or Spyke.
So I should pull the clutch Assembly ? - put the starter back in and find a clutch assembly (maybe with the one piece ring gear) and put that in and see where the Bendix aligns.
Thanks John
Next weekend I will pull the clutch.
HD said the clutch is correct - so it might be a spacer behind it.
I will let you know next week and I will post photos of what I find.
OK so I pulled the clutch out and it appears that it has what looks like a friction plate on the back of the clutch as well as the normal clutch basket with multiple plates. The key way was good - not sure on make of clutch - but would prefer the solid ring gear type. I have a couple of new clutches but they are for belt drive and also have a spline not a key way.
it's a stock 4 speed Harley clutch with an after market 5 stud hub for an easier obtained, even clutch pressure, & a solid Aluminium pressure plate which also helps clutch setting, none of these can effect your clutch in the way you have problems,.. all looks as it should, it sounds like your doing it blind if you didn't know what clutch it is so, I highly recommend you get a FACTORY workshop manual & a Factory Parts manual as well, they can be downloaded free if you don't want to spend on them, but they are 'MUST HAVE' items if you have a Shovelhead, a shit load of good information in them, was the HUB nut tight ? when loose the basket will move out taking the ring gear away from the bendix gear....
Thanks Pete, The nut appeared to be tight - but at the same time there was "run-out" on the ring gear. I will pull down the manuals for more details such as what I have attached below, and make sure the bearing plate is good and the hub nut gets tightened to the correct torque..
Thanks Drift - I want to do that and was looking at how easy it is to replace the 3 piece ring gear with the one piece. as its not a bolt on and is welded it might be easier just to buy a new clutch basket with a ring on it.
Thanks John, They just said that Harley used the three (3) piece ring gear - not that they sold it to me - it was on the bike already so you could be correct. Most for sale these days are replicas and if you do find the original parts - the price is crazy plus the used ones I have seen online look like crap.
Just to let everyone know - Starter was tested and is good - there was a thick metal chainguard on the inner primary that I removed so that when the starter went in it was flush with the housing ( I will put the guard back on later). Also the clutch bearing plate (new style ram Jet) was nut secured properly with the five (5) retaining clips that go on (yes mine is a 5 finger not 3 finger). I am waiting for the new bearing plate with retaining clips to arrive. Currently the Starter Bendix now engages the ring gear (see Photo) Once I get the new parts and the clutch back together I will test it. I also took the advise to create a starter shaft bearing case holder from an old outer case so that I can test with causing a problem to the shaft. Many thanks to all of the help and advise I got on line from you guys - I am also learning as I go - that is the Shovelhead way - strip it down - clean it - fix it - ride it then start all over.. Thanks
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