Help, sportster solenoid contacts?

**seriesnz** · 12th September 2006, 21:21

I have just saved up and purchased my first harley, a 1981 sportster. I am reasonably young and am stoked to have finally got one after a childhood of dreaming away in maths!. My bike refused to start the other day and i have narrowed the problem down to the solenoid contact on the starter. My problem is trying to get one of these/ and or a second hand starter (i believe they are the same starter from 81-2003?). Any bodies help getting me back on my harley would be greatly appreciated, thanks.....

**scumdog** · 12th September 2006, 21:33

I use to have a '81 iron-head, PM me with symptoms and I'll help, if I can't I'll put you onto a couple of people that will have the parts you need.

Some of these contacts can be 'dressed up' and made usable again, the Hitachi starters were the best, later '81s had them.

**Motu** · 12th September 2006, 21:38

It's a big gutsy starter motor,not a midget wimpy thing spinning at high revs like most bike starters - if you get stuck any competent auto sparky could sort it for you.

**SlashWylde** · 12th September 2006, 22:43

Welcome to the site mate. Congrats on makin your dream come true. I've been reading the current issue (issue 87 Vol 16 No4) of 'Heavy Duty' magazine. Theres an article on pages 30 to 31 describing how to fix your starter clutch, and they discuss the solenoid. If you can't get hold of a copy, let me know and I'll scan the pages and post 'em here.

Hope this info is of help.

-SW.

**buellbabe** · 13th September 2006, 15:20

Did it refuse to start with a grudging trying to start sound or did it just click with no spark?
Had an intermittant 'not wanting to start, just clicking' thing on my Buell recently, replaced the solenoid plunger &plates (comes as a kit) cos they were quite worn but that didn't fix the problem.
When I was pushing on the starter button it was as if there wasn't a full connection.
Had the ignition housing taken apart and cleaned, problem solved... my bike has done close to 90,000kms and that was the first time this problem had occurred... yr Sporty is an '81 ( presumably it has a bit of mileage ?) so it occurred to me that maybe you have the same problem? Just a thought...

**Spider** · 14th September 2006, 00:25

Originally Posted by seriesnz

I have just saved up and purchased my first harley, a 1981 sportster. I am reasonably young and am stoked to have finally got one after a childhood of dreaming away in maths!. My bike refused to start the other day and i have narrowed the problem down to the solenoid contact on the starter. My problem is trying to get one of these/ and or a second hand starter (i believe they are the same starter from 81-2003?). Any bodies help getting me back on my harley would be greatly appreciated, thanks.....

Would I be correct in assuming that it is a Nippon Denso starter with the contacts and plunger inside the starter. There's probably an external relay as well if it is. I also assume that both the relay and solenoid are clicking? ND starters usually wear the contacts and plunger, yes, best to replace the plunger as well, and not wearing out the brushes because of the gear reduction design.

Any Auto Electrician will probably be able to fit you up with some contacts etc as the starters are found in different forms on (now ducking) Honda Civics, Toyota Corollas etc.

Contacts are probably $5-10 and plungers are usually $25-35ish.

Yes, I am an Auto Electrician.

**seriesnz** · 14th September 2006, 15:49

thanks heaps to everyone above that has given me some ideas as to help fix the starter. I did what a few of you mentioned and dropped into a auto-electricians, and as it happened the contact was the same as one out of a honda car, out-of-it!
so for $5 i got the part and will try it out tonight. thanks again everyone, stoked to be amoung ya's

**luv2u2** · 28th October 2008, 21:27

i am a girl with a pink 81 sportster i have only had it 8 months. i love to ride it so much and it wont start. my battery is good, i took apart my switch, cleaned and tested it, appears to be okay too. when i try to start it does nothing but it clicks when i push the button. i want to ride so bad. is it the starter or the thing in front of that? are they even seperate and if so what is that called or what do i need to do? please help

**rudolph** · 28th October 2008, 21:44

We should have a gathering of the Ironhead sportsters, then I can keep up as mine is old and slow

**reghan** · 17th March 2009, 19:46

Hey Rudolph. Late reply but keen to ganise an ironhead get together, yours may be slow, can i bring mine on a trailer!!! haha. Keen to meet anyone who has one, need a few small parts to get my 76 XLCH on the road again, based in Warkworth. Reghan 021 722 616.

**vj paul** · 18th March 2009, 18:35

Originally Posted by reghan

Hey Rudolph. Late reply but keen to ganise an ironhead get together, yours may be slow, can i bring mine on a trailer!!! haha. Keen to meet anyone who has one, need a few small parts to get my 76 XLCH on the road again, based in Warkworth. Reghan 021 722 616.

What parts are you after.

**74 knuckle** · 18th March 2009, 22:01

Originally Posted by luv2u2

i am a girl with a pink 81 sportster i have only had it 8 months. i love to ride it so much and it wont start. my battery is good, i took apart my switch, cleaned and tested it, appears to be okay too. when i try to start it does nothing but it clicks when i push the button. i want to ride so bad. is it the starter or the thing in front of that? are they even seperate and if so what is that called or what do i need to do? please help

I had similar probs after resurrecting mine then discovered the relay under the battery box. Get someone to press your starter and make sure the clicking isn't coming from there. If it is you can pick up a relay from any Repco, Supercheap etc.

**74 knuckle** · 18th March 2009, 22:38

Keen to meet anyone who has one, need a few small parts to get my 76 XLCH on the road again, based in Warkworth. Reghan 021 722 616.[/QUOTE]

Hey chap can't help with the parts but can do with manuals if your interested?

**vj paul** · 19th March 2009, 07:42

Hey chap can't help with the parts but can do with manuals if your interested?[/QUOTE]

What manuals do you have

**74 knuckle** · 19th March 2009, 10:13

I have a Haynes sporsters 1970-1993 ,883,997,1100,1200cc manual, and a clymer top tuner 74&80 4 speed twins.`1959-1982 service repair, and performance manual.