Fitting a new Starter motor to my 87 FXSTC its a Spyke and has a "collar" around the starter to suit later model bikes. Can I grind the collar back rather than trying to drill the starter mounting plate that is on the bike?

The following is from the instruction guide. There will be 2 x 6mm bolts as well as a 6mm locating dowel to hold the starter in place on the mounting plate.

1. Installation on 1986-89 models requires the use of a 1990-up starter and modifications to starter mounting
hole on transmission will be necessary. You must open the mounting hole up to 2-1/8 inches.

The collar is essential for load absorption. Do not remove it.
What primary drive do you have?

you can just buy the right model starter for the job there's plenty out there,    they need the spiggot too locate ,  the bolt 's clamp it the bolt hole's are not a perfect fit  so the gear will not mesh proper ,     i think they changed them in  EVBT  1993/4 ?  that's  the size of the hole in the inner pri

hi ,    i would get the hole machined on a mill & centred proper @ least,   with a dremel it could be a  bit-off you don't have to go all the way through  just deep enough + 0.020 " what the spiggot is on the starter for a size for size fit  +  0.001" clearance only,   it depends how thick the open belt backing plate is       they are normaly thicker about 3/4 "-7/8",        are you in Sydney , any good machine shop could help with that easy enough as the hole location is already there ,

i do port & polishing harley heads for years ( i use to do the race heads for robbie hermans back when  he is from the gippslands)  i don't think i would try that ,    you do not have to take the g/box out    just the belt ass front pulley & clutch basket & take off the pri backing plate 1/2 hours work you won't be able too get in there proper  , try billy wheels @ Pheioex cycles i stuff that spelling up ,

PM Kiwidave, he has a shit hot machinist who done his heads down the east side and between him and Dave it won`t be a big issue, you`ve been off the road a while now so don`t rush it, check your Zeus book for a transition fit, tolerances are quite tight. You could always have another beer while you wait

No separate plate (hence the instructions regarding the hole).
Buying a new transmission is not all that crazy.
They are pretty cheap, and the internal ratios of the pre 90 5 speeds (namely 2/3 gears) have always been an issue.
You could even go 6 speed, or overdrive.
It is possible some of the keen builders on here might even be interested in the used primaries and trans, which could help offset costs.
Just a thought.

 

Your new clutch has a taper?

When I say taper, I mean the clutch hub and trans mainshaft.

"Do you know if the 90-94 starter is a splined unit " Do you mean transmission?

You could of course just use an 89 trans, as they had the same clutch as an 87, but the later type starter as stock.
As far as I am aware, all single cam softail trans cases are interchangeable, provided you also change the starter and clutch and primaries etc.

To my mind, the splined clutch is much better, and the gear ratios of 90 and later greatly improved.

 so you have the early pre 87 starter like a shovel style , when you said 1987 model  i thought that it's the 1st year of the later style self contained starter  unit  1987-up that the year they came out  , either change trans case or copy a later case buy maching the spiggot  & or welding  a boss in place but you will need  too copy  a 1987& up  trans case , what date is on  the frame  compliance plate  or look up the frame #  for the date  sorry not much help on this 1 

By the time you add
mainshaft
gaskets and seals
2/3 gearset
bearings etc

and...... allow for the fact that other parts being reused are worn to some extent

and........ realise that you then have nothing much to sell afterward

a new trans complete may be looking good

Same seller (just an example, not saying you should necessarily buy this)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Softail-6-speed-transmission-Revtech-Polished-new-/180709724835?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2a132392a3#ht_2079wt_1165

I am not an Ultima fan, but very cheap

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-SPEED-POLISHED-TRANSMISSION-fits-HARLEY-SOFTAIL-90-99-/360421375330?_trksid=p4340.m503&_trkparms=algo%3DRIC.CFNP%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D180709724835%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5347019647599115819#ht_500wt_1413

Thanx guys would love the kicker but.....

Been looking at this one and wondering about spline matching up.

 

6 SPEED TRANSMISSION - FITS HARLEY SOFTAIL POLISHED (400157739860)

Or this one.

TRIK-SHIFT 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION POLISHED & CHROME HARLE... (180784204976)

Would be quite happy with a 5 speed but there dont seem to be many about.

 

 thats alright i stuff-up again the early EVBT starter  went too 1988, i thought 87 because they changed a lot on that model in 87 , sporty had that type of starter from 1983 , , i had too look @ the parts book too refreash my old & fuck brain,

Just a little Info on the Cheaper 5 and 6 Speed Boxes, Ultima, Rev Tech, Trick Shift and Road Road Max. They are all made in Korea by Road Max, I sell the Ultima, Ultima and Trick Shift pull theres down and make some adjustment and check the Clearances before shipping them out . Ultima then add a 2 year waranty with every one

hi ,    there a lot of crap trans + other parts out there  i woukd not buy or sell any1 a tawian/korean type  box ,  rev tech  or whatever , better off buying a original case & transfer every part over + rebuild it while your in there  iv'e done this before   i do not fit parts on peoples bike's that are less  quality than stock ,    only stock harley or better  like andrews gears etc , or try USA wreckers ive heard of good 2nd hand boxes going @ a realy good $,     then sell off the old 1  & recoupe the funds there wont' be big bucks left over , be carefull there's  a lot of crap out there dont degrade your harley  otherwise  in the long term it wont be a harley as such ,    i have a work place but i dont push nothing on here ,  people call japanesse bike's japcrap , but japan have the best steel in the world , what would call  a tawian or korean  i step above china bearly

Its either the copper disk that makes the +ve connection on the end of the solenoid (they get worn by sparks)

Found the problem a bad crimp on the earth wire of the starter relay