1974 Harley Davidson Starter Bendix replacement instructions

It needs cleaning and lubricating. Flood and brush with WD40 or gasoline. Dry off and lubricate with light machine oil.

https://www.google.com/search?q=1983+Harley+Davidson+FLHS+starter+not+disengaging

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take starter out to replace bendix

No you dont!
Have a certified Harley tech handle this one. Most motorcycle starters are three bolts and the battery cable, NOT Harleys!

If the starter motor is running, the solenoid is working. Is the "over running" spring, cup, and pin in place? Is the shifter fork for the starter shaft positioned correctly in the collar behind the Bendix.

Disconnect the battery, remove the primary cover, and take the solenoid off but leave the plunger for the solenoid in position. Now, with the solenoid off, pull the plunger back in the direction that the solenoid would pull it. Watch the starter shaft and make sure that it moves forward and engages flywheel. Take the starter off and make sure the small gear on the end of it is in good shape as well. Try that Bendix with your hand, It should turn one way but not the other. Even if it does, that doesn't mean it's good. If it turns in both directions, it is bad.

http://www.bikebandit.com/1972-harley-davidson-xlh/o/m1748#sch195980

Good Luck
Steve

Hi,
Sounds like ur bendix drive didn't retract, open ur starter and check the bendix gear/drive or the solenoid fork that pushes the bendix!
Hope that helps u out!

If your starter is spinning but the engine is not turning over, you over running clutch or Bendix is bad. On the Nippondenso style starter on the late bikes, this starter clutch is inside of the starter. You must pull the starter off and disassemble it to repair the starter. If you can do the job yourself, you can repair the starter and save some money. If you're going to have to pay a mechanic to do the work, simply replace the starter. Any money saved by repairing the starter in this case would be quickly depleted in labor cost.

Good Luck
Steve

Your starter drive or "Bendix" is bad. Disconnect the battery, remove the outer primary, remove the starter solenoid and pull the starter drive shaft, with the Bendix on it, out. Clamp the starter drive shaft in vise with soft jaws and remove the nut on the outer end. It has left handed threads. Replace the starter drive with a high quality unit such as ACCEL. Avoid the cheaper Chinese units as they don't last. Reassemble your bike.

Good Luck
Steve

2 possibilities here. First, the solenoid and bendix are working correctly and the starter is kicking in. You will hear and be able to feel a "clunk" on the primary cover if you touch it. This means the overrunning clutch is going bad. (Can be called starter clutch, sprag clutch, etc. depending on the shop). About $40, but hard to install if you aren't at least a semi-experineced mechanic. Second, you have a failing solenoid (the pull-in coil) or the actual starter bendix is hanging up. Replace the solenoid and clean the starter. (DON'T use gasoline! Get some quick evaporating spray cleaner from the autp parts store.) If that fails, it looks like it's new starter time. Check all your wires and conncetions. Ya don't want to waste money on parts when a good cleaning with a wire brush could fix it.