I'm pulling this from memory, so forgive my lack of detailed info.
I had a 1989 Harley-Davidson FXRT Sport Glide that I bought new that year. One of the improvements was a high output starter. I didn't find it to be a damn bit better than on my 1975 Super Glide, so I figured it was just marketing hype.
A few years later, the starter acted up. I'd hit the button and nothing would happen, a couple of more tries and it would work. I cleaned and tightened whatever wires I could, but no good. The button seemed to be working fine. Then it died completely, and I trailered it to the shop.
I brought it to Mancini's in Danbury CT on Kenosia Avenue. Sorry, Ray Mancini is no longer there and it's a shame because that guy was one of the best bike mechanics I've ever known, and certainly the most honest.
He checked it over, and determined the starter was shot. $300 later, I had a brand new genuine HD starter. It was no better performing than the original.
A few months later, that starter died abruptly, no warning as with the original. Back to Mancini's.
Ray took the starter apart, and found that one of the structural rods in it was also a current conductor. It was made of a very weak metal, much like potmetal, and it had simply melted!
Ray replaced it with a high strength steel unit he fabricated.
HOLY CRAP what a difference! The starter now was indeed a high output! One touch of the button, and that engine spun like mad! It was beutiful!
I don't remember what Ray charged me, I actually think it was nothing since the starter he installed hadn't lasted but a few months. Customer service to the max, as usual.
So, it's likely the original had that crap metal as a conductor too.
I sold the bike a couple years later, so I don't know what the long term result was. I am sure it is still working though.
So, this comes about 20 years too late, but if you have an 89 Harley big twin with a factory starter (I don't know how many years they used the same starter), and it dies or acts up, don't replace it, take it apart and look for crap metal rods and other parts. Replace them with good steel and prepare to be amazed.
I had a 1989 Harley-Davidson FXRT Sport Glide that I bought new that year. One of the improvements was a high output starter. I didn't find it to be a damn bit better than on my 1975 Super Glide, so I figured it was just marketing hype.
A few years later, the starter acted up. I'd hit the button and nothing would happen, a couple of more tries and it would work. I cleaned and tightened whatever wires I could, but no good. The button seemed to be working fine. Then it died completely, and I trailered it to the shop.
I brought it to Mancini's in Danbury CT on Kenosia Avenue. Sorry, Ray Mancini is no longer there and it's a shame because that guy was one of the best bike mechanics I've ever known, and certainly the most honest.
He checked it over, and determined the starter was shot. $300 later, I had a brand new genuine HD starter. It was no better performing than the original.
A few months later, that starter died abruptly, no warning as with the original. Back to Mancini's.
Ray took the starter apart, and found that one of the structural rods in it was also a current conductor. It was made of a very weak metal, much like potmetal, and it had simply melted!
Ray replaced it with a high strength steel unit he fabricated.
HOLY CRAP what a difference! The starter now was indeed a high output! One touch of the button, and that engine spun like mad! It was beutiful!
I don't remember what Ray charged me, I actually think it was nothing since the starter he installed hadn't lasted but a few months. Customer service to the max, as usual.
So, it's likely the original had that crap metal as a conductor too.
I sold the bike a couple years later, so I don't know what the long term result was. I am sure it is still working though.
So, this comes about 20 years too late, but if you have an 89 Harley big twin with a factory starter (I don't know how many years they used the same starter), and it dies or acts up, don't replace it, take it apart and look for crap metal rods and other parts. Replace them with good steel and prepare to be amazed.
