HD XL1200L starter problem

**MadDuck** · 18th July 2010, 15:37

I posted last weekend about my battery problem. Thanks for the responses. It charged fine BUT...alas...

Started the bike up this morning (BEFORE hauling out of the garage this time) and all is well. Geared up. Went to the servo and fuelled up then over to check the tyres....all good. Off up for a ride with the W.A.R.T.S and arrived in Warkworth....all good.

Time to leave. Geared up looking forward to long overdue ride on a beautiful day....all not so good.

The bike wont start. Turn the key and hit the run and start and the fuel injection does its little 'whirr' thingy it does.....then "CLICK" and nothing.

In my other thread Grubber made this comment:

Originally Posted by Grubber

Might pay to ascertain if the bike actually turned over at all first. If it did and would'nt start then i would say there is fuel problem or spark problem, if it didn't turn over then it may be battery or it may be starter. My Harley (when i had them) were chronic for bad starters. Bit of a design fault i think in the starter itself. There was a standard repair for them but it's a while since i had mine fixed so can't actually remember what it was.

Can anyone tell me more please?

The bike is now safely in Maha and Moms garage ... thanks for the ride home Maha. It would have been a bloody long walk

**j_redley** · 18th July 2010, 16:40

If the relay is clicking and the starter isn't turning, good chance that the starter itself may have packed up. Could be a case of worn brushes, or it might just be rooted. Best way to tell, is if you can get at your starter, with the key on bridge the two terminals on the back of the starter. It it turns over could be just the relay, if it doesn't you know your starter needs looking at.

**Maha** · 18th July 2010, 16:43

I've had a bit of a tap around with a rubber mallet but it still wont go...

**Mom** · 18th July 2010, 16:51

Originally Posted by j_redley

If the relay is clicking and the starter isn't turning, good chance that the starter itself may have packed up. Could be a case of worn brushes, or it might just be rooted. Best way to tell, is if you can get at your starter, with the key on bridge the two terminals on the back of the starter. It it turns over could be just the relay, if it doesn't you know your starter needs looking at.

Yeah it is just the relay making one click and then nothing. The fuel injection primes up then hit the starter and click. I am picking it is the relay.

Biggest problem is I dont know where the starter is, and I dont think the Duckmeister would be very impressed if I started totooing with her pride and joy

**Bikemad** · 18th July 2010, 16:54

bigger mallet?????????..........mate of mine had same trouble a few years ago...........from memory was a common mechanical fault with easy fix.........will ask him and post reply tomorrow

**MadDuck** · 18th July 2010, 16:56

Originally Posted by j_redley

If the relay is clicking and the starter isn't turning, good chance that the starter itself may have packed up. Could be a case of worn brushes, or it might just be rooted. Best way to tell, is if you can get at your starter, with the key on bridge the two terminals on the back of the starter. It it turns over could be just the relay, if it doesn't you know your starter needs looking at.

Thanks. I have the manual and will see how accessable the starter is.

Originally Posted by Maha

I've had a bit of a tap around with a rubber mallet but it still wont go...

At least it was a rubber one

Originally Posted by Mom

.... I dont think the Duckmeister would be very impressed if I started totooing with her pride and joy

I may have to put my total trust in you....hmmm.

**Mom** · 18th July 2010, 16:57

Originally Posted by MadDuck

I may have to put my total trust in you....hmmm.

Trust me, I am a doctor

**MadDuck** · 18th July 2010, 16:57

Originally Posted by Bikemad

bigger mallet?????????..........mate of mine had same trouble a few years ago...........from memory was a common mechanical fault with easy fix.........will ask him and post reply tomorrow

Cheers and thank you very much

**White trash** · 18th July 2010, 19:28

From memory it's the sprag clutch on the starter. Harleys are forever shitting them. Easy and inexpensive to fix.

**MadDuck** · 18th July 2010, 19:34

Originally Posted by White trash

From memory it's the sprag clutch on the starter. Harleys are forever shitting them. Easy and inexpensive to fix.

Ahhh. Thanks Mr Trash. I know you say easy do you think I could do this myself? Or bike shop?

**Mom** · 18th July 2010, 19:34

Originally Posted by MadDuck

Ahhh. Thanks Mr Trash. I know you say easy do you think I could do this myself? Or bike shop?

Team work Duck, we can do this

**MadDuck** · 18th July 2010, 19:42

Originally Posted by Mom

Team work Duck, we can do this

Mr Trash knows my level of bike mechanics. If he thinks it should be bike shop then I will go down that road....in neutral...downhill....if you know what I mean?

Hell I dont even know what a sprag clutch is. Google is my friend though

**scumdog** · 18th July 2010, 19:49

Originally Posted by MadDuck

I posted last weekend about my battery problem. Thanks for the responses. It charged fine BUT...alas...

Started the bike up this morning (BEFORE hauling out of the garage this time) and all is well. Geared up. Went to the servo and fuelled up then over to check the tyres....all good. Off up for a ride with the W.A.R.T.S and arrived in Warkworth....all good.

Time to leave. Geared up looking forward to long overdue ride on a beautiful day....all not so good.

The bike wont start. Turn the key and hit the run and start and the fuel injection does its little 'whirr' thingy it does.....then "CLICK" and nothing.

In my other thread Grubber made this comment:

Can anyone tell me more please?

The bike is now safely in Maha and Moms garage ... thanks for the ride home Maha. It would have been a bloody long walk

Had a similar thing with normajeanes 1200, turned out in the end to be a broken earth where it bolts to the motor/frame in an out of sight place.

**MadDuck** · 18th July 2010, 19:54

Originally Posted by scumdog

Had a similar thing with normajeanes 1200, turned out in the end to be a broken earth where it bolts to the motor/frame in an out of sight place.

Yeah I had in my mind last weekend its not just the battery but I dont know what. For it to start 4 times in the course of the morning then just go nah not starting doesnt make sense.