My first scoot is a 77 ironhead hardtail bobber. Your videos have been a big help during the motor and electrics rebuild. I will be posting a video here soon. I'll be sure to mention ya during the video
Great information - My '72 XLH is constantly wanting to spend time with me in the garage , not on the road . Your videos are a huge help , and in turn , I'm back up on two wheels instead of sittin' on a milk crate sayin' " Now what " ?
@@glennstoys6700 You may need to adjust the valves to quite it down, 25psi when cold is normal. These are a more of a volume oiling than pressure, be sure you have flow back to the oil tank while running.
it was rebuilt about 3000 miles ago but it just doesn't sound right to me? just seems like it was not as loud but I have been told now they need adjustment
Great video...I'm trying to get a '73 sporty (my first harley) up and running and am about to tackle what's hopefully a simple solenoid issue. I'll definitely be watching this again once my parts show up and it's time to get my hands dirty.
Hey Jesse, the solenoids going out is a pretty common problem so hopefully its an easy fix. If you need any parts in the future here's a link to my EBay store m.ebay.com/sch/jfrost77hd/m.html?isRefine=true&_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=50&_trksid=p3692&_trksid=p3692&_mwBanner=1 Thanks for watching!
Good video. I have a '74 XLH that I bought as what I call a running basket case. I'm sure you know plenty of Ironheads have been victims of people without mechanical skills. I'm fixing a lot of stuff that somebody dicked up. I love them Ironheads.
Hey no problem Paul glad to help! Yeah little things like that are good to know and easy to screw up if you dont know, lol. Thanks for watching and ride safe!
Great video! Gave a good understanding of how it works. Im having an issue with a 76 XLH . Apparently the plunger inside the solenoid is not making contact internally? I was wondering if an issue with the shifter fork for the bendix would prevent the solenoid plunger from fully contacting the studs inside the solenoid?
I know this is an older upload that how can I tell if my starter gear clutch is bad or if my starter itself is bad it's it won't fully engage any theories would help me at this point in time
Thanks Man, your video just gave me the balls to attempt it myself. all i need to get started is the Bendix throw arm, mine is broke. don't know why? THANKS AGAIN
Thanks for showing this, I needed to pull my starter out to change my oil tank hose that runs by it and this helped a lot. Question, can the entire housing and gears as you have on the bench be pulled without having to remove the primary cover and the clutch? Thanks
Hey glad to help, should be able to just remove the starter from the housing to run the line. But yes the whole housing ect can be removed as one, probably need to pull the primary cover to reinstall the brass washer if you remove everything. Thsnks for watching!
@@jfrost77hd old video still helpful. Hope you get this. Just to clarify, I can remove everything with out pulling out the motor or or anything crazy. Just remove exhaust possibly sprocket cover and I can replace everything you just did?
@@MrJapes69 You'll probably loosen the battery tray and oil tank aswell. The jackshaft collar has a brass thrust washer that may or may not fall off making you remove the primary cover aswell. Usually safest to remove the primary cover so you know that washers on there when you install the starter setup back on.
This has been the most helpful video I've seen yet! Question though, how should I remove that bendix bearing "starter clutch" off the starter assembly?
Hey Nate, after you have the shaft the bendix is on removed, there is a circlip holding it on, this is opposite of the gear side of the bendix. Make sense? Thanks for watching!
thank you for the video, If you see this comment, would you be able to tell me the location of the ground cable to the engine, where does the ground cable attach to the engine on a 1975 sportster XLH 1000, Ive searched but i cant seem to find the factory location
Thanks for the video. This was helpful. I am working on replacing the gear shift lever arm and have never worked on anything with pins like what hold that and the small spring on the end of the solenoid plunger. Do you just hammer them out and in? I’m afraid I’ll bend or break them. Mine are in there real tight
hey great vid and i have an idea for some vids would you do snowmobiles? their fun to work on and i think you should get one it would be a good vid if you want man lol
I'm rebuilding 75 Harley Davidson sportster xlch electric start conversion, I have manual but confused on the wiring, need help on finalizing all the wire hook ups including battery, much appreciated
Hey - love this video it does answer some questions, and helps visualize the starter setup compared to the diagrams. I have a problem with my 1980 XLH that has both electric and kickstart. The issue is the electric starter doesn't seem to mesh and I have to push the kicker down slightly for it to work again. I wanted to ask, does that ring gear need to be perfectly welded onto the clutch basket, as I'm thinking this could be the issue as to why it sometimes doesn't mesh to turn that ring gear? Help much appreciated.
jfrost77hd I am having trouble with my solenoid. Sometimes when starting the bike, the starter hangs up...like stays engaged. it's a 77 ironhead. The bike was built by someone else and kind of a mess. I got the new solenoid, but not sure about the gasket in the outside and think I may be missing a spring? I'd really like to see the solenoid pulled so I can compare.
Love your videos...Where could I get one of those "green steps" for stopping the primary sprockets from moving?? (Don't know what it's called) Been looking for ONE. Thanks
I have a question for You , im lookin at whats supose to be 1972 Sportster, , no kick starter , the man says starter is not workin , and i'd like to see it run , could be push started ? another question i have is the primary cover dont look like other 72's i;ve seen ' looks more like one on xr 750, i dont know enough to keep from gettin hooked , any info or yur thought would be appreciated , Thank Ya Sir , would vin no. id the engine ?
why did you feel you need to replace that needle bearing? what was it doing? I am having starting issues. It is not the battery, it is not the starter. battery full charge, starter bench tested and I can't stall it out with wood. with plugs in starter will not turn over motor. plugs out its ok. if the needle bearing you replaced is shot would that cause it to bind up? motor turns over manually with wrench on primary sprocket.
I just did this exact job on my 1974 XLH Sportster.When installed and activated the starter bendix does not kick out far enough to engage the ring gear ?.Interestingly,the starter mechanism did the same thing before?.It tells me everything was ok in there and that its something else?.The primary is off the bike but I supported the bendix with a screwdriver to steady it.Still does not engage?.Any ideas on what this might be?Thanks for any help!!
How freely is the bendix supposed to spin? I installed an old starter from a 77 ironhead and it spins freely but not very easily. Spinning the it opposite way (ccw) is extremely sludgy and tough to spin. Is that grounds for replacing the needle bearing?
Greetings sir, can I consult you with regards to some issues on harley electric starter. I have a harley davidson soft tail heritage classic model 2000. And the issue is that, when I press on the starter button, the starter motor is rotating but the vindex drive doesnt punch through the fly wheel gear to start the motor engine. In addition to this, I have a history of accidentally pressing the starter button while the engine is running, instead of pressing the engine off button. Do you think this might caused the starter motor to malfunction?, If so, before purchasing a new haley starter, what alternative measures can I do to fix it? thank you, I appreciate your help with regards to this matter :)
it looked like the one you replaced the needle bearing in didn't have one...maybe that why that bearing was shattered...i remember that stupid washer well......my manual showed it and i looked for 2 days for that fucker thinking it was just a loose washer. finally i decided to see if i could get by without it when i had one of my many "DUH" MOMENTS!!!....also when you switched over to electric start did you get a new primary case or did you ream out the hole and put a needle bearing in where the end jack shaft slips into to keep it lined up??.....i know the xlch's was the only model that had that primary case.....and we all know how i found that out or you can pretty much guess!!
Hey man great video. Very helpful when I was rebuilding my starter/ housing. New bendix, gear shaft, needle bearing, solenoid, and battery. Got a quick question for ya. I got everything put back together and back on the bike(77 ironhead) and bendix will not engage enough to make connection inside of solenoid to turn over engine. I read on some forms people have had a bent starter/bendix fork arm, or pins not centered on rod with spring and cup, boot jammed? Bendix hitting ring gear. Definitely a mechanical issue not electrical. So my question is, is there a common hang up issue inside of these housing's.?
nice video. i'm adding a electric start to my kick only xlch also, did you have to switch out the coil? did you have a schematic on how you wired it all up?
yea have a problem with everything kicking out but still not engaging could it be I need to bend the arm of the solinoid to kick it out further ,replaced the needle bearing and jack haft is good?
Hey thanks man! Actually just posted a video of a 72 Ironhead chopper I've been working on and debating on converting it. If I do make the switch I'll definitely post some videos! Thanks for watching!
Hey thanks Brad, yeah Im sure there are some block off plates on ebay. They can be made pretty easily aswell, could use the starter housing as a template. If you really get in a bind I could probably scroung one up. Thanks for watching!
If you have the solenoid poles on the unit swapped it will drain the battery. The long pole goes to the battery and short to the starter if I remember correctly.
This video is immensely helpful. The only issue I have is I can't get my bike to start, just clicks once. I have a replacement solenoid on the way but it looks like I'll have to remove the primary and take a look at the whole starter system. Any tips?
Wouldnt hurt to check out the primary, usually remove battery, rear exhaust, disconnect resevoir bolts to battery tray or remove it and you can get to the solenoid. Thanks for watching!
On some of them you can, your vin # will tell you what year and model it is. If it's kick only I'd guess your vin starts with 4A which is an XLCH. Your last number in the vin would tell you what year.
@@HubbellMotorsports The engine #'s would be on the left side case below the cylinders above the timing plug on an early ones. Later ones are on the right side engine case near the base of the intake pushrod tubes.
@@jfrost77hd first thing. Thanks for the videos sir. I'm a young guy building my own bikes and they've really helped me. Any chance you'd let me txt ya and ask some questions. Not a lot of people out there to help me out. 928-542-8801 names chris. I'd even pay ya for the info
@@christopheranthony9871 Hey thanks for watching the videos and glad they've been helpful. I really don't give out my number but I did just try calling you from a blocked number.
Easily one of the best bike-related videos I've encountered on TH-cam. Much appreciated.
My first scoot is a 77 ironhead hardtail bobber. Your videos have been a big help during the motor and electrics rebuild. I will be posting a video here soon. I'll be sure to mention ya during the video
Hey thanks Andrew glad to help! Looking forward to seeing the bike and thanks for watching man!
This was the BEST instructional video on how the starter setuo works... good fn job bro
Wow... mechanic skills are remarkable. Wish I was that smart. God blessed you brother.
Great information - My '72 XLH is constantly wanting to spend time with me in the garage , not on the road . Your videos are a huge help , and in turn , I'm back up on two wheels instead of sittin' on a milk crate sayin' " Now what " ?
You're a good teacher man~
Keep them coming. A complete tear down and rebuild of the engine vid from you would be awesome! Love the vids!,
Very helpful...thanks!👍🏼
man i wish you did all the videos on here. most are crap, this makes it so easy. thanks
Hey thanks for that man, Ive still got alot of Ironheads and lots of work to be done, I'll post what I can! Thanks for watching and glad it helped.
🤘👍right on !!!...you rock dude!!
Great job 😎👍👍
Really useful, very well explained and great clear filming. Good advice is priceless. Many thanks :-)
you video just answered alot of questions i had, thank you very much!
just got family heirloom 1972 sportster your videos really has helped out keep it up! thanks people like me can't afford to pay a mechanic
Very cool to hear that and glad the videos have been helpful, thanks for watching!
I've got it running sounds like the rockers are loud is it normal? oil pressure is good 25 at idle
@@glennstoys6700 You may need to adjust the valves to quite it down, 25psi when cold is normal. These are a more of a volume oiling than pressure, be sure you have flow back to the oil tank while running.
jfrost77hd did that for converted in oil😎😎 for not having the cap on . but how do you adjust the valves
it was rebuilt about 3000 miles ago but it just doesn't sound right to me? just seems like it was not as loud but I have been told now they need adjustment
Very instructive video! My starter was spinning and not engaging. Now i can fix it myself!! Thanks!!!
avatcns Good deal, if you need any parts check me out stores.ebay.com/frostcycleshack
Thanks for watching!
Great video! Keep posting vids for old sportsters
Hey thanks Brian, definitely have plenty of them to work on! Thanks for watching and ride safe!
Thank you for making this video. Really helpful information
very good and easy to follow.
Great tutorial 👍 All Hail the Mighty Sportster 😎
super informative, awesome video quality, thanks you sir
Hey glad to help... thanks for watching!
Great video...I'm trying to get a '73 sporty (my first harley) up and running and am about to tackle what's hopefully a simple solenoid issue. I'll definitely be watching this again once my parts show up and it's time to get my hands dirty.
Hey Jesse, the solenoids going out is a pretty common problem so hopefully its an easy fix. If you need any parts in the future here's a link to my EBay store m.ebay.com/sch/jfrost77hd/m.html?isRefine=true&_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=50&_trksid=p3692&_trksid=p3692&_mwBanner=1
Thanks for watching!
Nice , informative video.thanks .
Good video. I have a '74 XLH that I bought as what I call a running basket case. I'm sure you know plenty of Ironheads have been victims of people without mechanical skills. I'm fixing a lot of stuff that somebody dicked up. I love them Ironheads.
Thank you!
74 sporty all electric, just found replacement starter drive shaft after 20 years. I'll be back!
Dude. So much thx for the video. Saved my behind with the left hand thread notice.... Replacing the bendix gear now and all apart ok so far...
Hey no problem Paul glad to help! Yeah little things like that are good to know and easy to screw up if you dont know, lol. Thanks for watching and ride safe!
Awesome
Great video! Gave a good understanding of how it works. Im having an issue with a 76 XLH . Apparently the plunger inside the solenoid is not making contact internally? I was wondering if an issue with the shifter fork for the bendix would prevent the solenoid plunger from fully contacting the studs inside the solenoid?
Very helpful... thanks!
I know this is an older upload that how can I tell if my starter gear clutch is bad or if my starter itself is bad it's it won't fully engage any theories would help me at this point in time
Thanks Man, your video just gave me the balls to attempt it myself. all i need to get started is the Bendix throw arm, mine is broke. don't know why?
THANKS AGAIN
Love your video man
great video, rgds mike
Love your vids
🤘😎🤘
purdy sure my bendix jus went out on me. fresh topend wore it out eye tink.
That harley's a beast
Just to note, you're missing a washer between the needle bearing you replaced and the gear HD part#31501-65 as per diagram
I got it fixed that for the video bro
Great video--thank you.
Nice work, sportsters are cool.....
Can you tell me where you found the gear for the clutch basket
I'm installing a starter on my 75 Ironhead very nice video
very helpful video thanks
Thanks for showing this, I needed to pull my starter out to change my oil tank hose that runs by it and this helped a lot. Question, can the entire housing and gears as you have on the bench be pulled without having to remove the primary cover and the clutch? Thanks
Hey glad to help, should be able to just remove the starter from the housing to run the line. But yes the whole housing ect can be removed as one, probably need to pull the primary cover to reinstall the brass washer if you remove everything. Thsnks for watching!
@@jfrost77hd old video still helpful. Hope you get this. Just to clarify, I can remove everything with out pulling out the motor or or anything crazy. Just remove exhaust possibly sprocket cover and I can replace everything you just did?
@@MrJapes69 You'll probably loosen the battery tray and oil tank aswell. The jackshaft collar has a brass thrust washer that may or may not fall off making you remove the primary cover aswell. Usually safest to remove the primary cover so you know that washers on there when you install the starter setup back on.
The proverbial great question, and the answer is easy if you try.
You don't have a spacer between the gear and needle bearing? My kit came with one and it needed pressed in.
Nice Sporty stable. Dig'em ...
Hey thanks man, yeah I just love messing with these old bikes... thanks for watching!
This has been the most helpful video I've seen yet! Question though, how should I remove that bendix bearing "starter clutch" off the starter assembly?
Hey Nate, after you have the shaft the bendix is on removed, there is a circlip holding it on, this is opposite of the gear side of the bendix. Make sense? Thanks for watching!
thank you for the video, If you see this comment, would you be able to tell me the location of the ground cable to the engine, where does the ground cable attach to the engine on a 1975 sportster XLH 1000, Ive searched but i cant seem to find the factory location
Thanks for the video. This was helpful. I am working on replacing the gear shift lever arm and have never worked on anything with pins like what hold that and the small spring on the end of the solenoid plunger. Do you just hammer them out and in? I’m afraid I’ll bend or break them. Mine are in there real tight
hey great vid and i have an idea for some vids would you do snowmobiles? their fun to work on and i think you should get one it would be a good vid if you want man lol
I'm rebuilding 75 Harley Davidson sportster xlch electric start conversion, I have manual but confused on the wiring, need help on finalizing all the wire hook ups including battery, much appreciated
Hey - love this video it does answer some questions, and helps visualize the starter setup compared to the diagrams. I have a problem with my 1980 XLH that has both electric and kickstart. The issue is the electric starter doesn't seem to mesh and I have to push the kicker down slightly for it to work again. I wanted to ask, does that ring gear need to be perfectly welded onto the clutch basket, as I'm thinking this could be the issue as to why it sometimes doesn't mesh to turn that ring gear? Help much appreciated.
Any idea where I can get the fork mechanism for the bendix? Discovered the one on my 76 is broken. Hesitant to weld it back in place.
Thank You!! I am converting my 72 xlch
Cheryl J Hey thanks for watching!
jfrost77hd I am having trouble with my solenoid. Sometimes when starting the bike, the starter hangs up...like stays engaged. it's a 77 ironhead. The bike was built by someone else and kind of a mess. I got the new solenoid, but not sure about the gasket in the outside and think I may be missing a spring? I'd really like to see the solenoid pulled so I can compare.
There is a lock ring behind the shifter collar, where and how.
This according to the HD manual, but no how to?
My son has taken the starter a part . Do you have a videos on at?
welcome back love ur vids
Love your videos...Where could I get one of those "green steps" for stopping the primary sprockets from moving?? (Don't know what it's called) Been looking for ONE. Thanks
I have a question for You , im lookin at whats supose to be 1972 Sportster, , no kick starter , the man says starter is not workin , and i'd like to see it run , could be push started ? another question i have is the primary cover dont look like other 72's i;ve seen ' looks more like one on xr 750, i dont know enough to keep from gettin hooked , any info or yur thought would be appreciated , Thank Ya Sir , would vin no. id the engine ?
why did you feel you need to replace that needle bearing? what was it doing? I am having starting issues. It is not the battery, it is not the starter. battery full charge, starter bench tested and I can't stall it out with wood. with plugs in starter will not turn over motor. plugs out its ok. if the needle bearing you replaced is shot would that cause it to bind up? motor turns over manually with wrench on primary sprocket.
I just did this exact job on my 1974 XLH Sportster.When installed and activated the starter bendix does not kick out far enough to engage the ring gear ?.Interestingly,the starter mechanism did the same thing before?.It tells me everything was ok in there and that its something else?.The primary is off the bike but I supported the bendix with a screwdriver to steady it.Still does not engage?.Any ideas on what this might be?Thanks for any help!!
Do you have the spacer on the starter solenoid, it's a block about 1/4" thick with 2 holes the same as solenoid?
How freely is the bendix supposed to spin? I installed an old starter from a 77 ironhead and it spins freely but not very easily. Spinning the it opposite way (ccw) is extremely sludgy and tough to spin. Is that grounds for replacing the needle bearing?
Greetings sir, can I consult you with regards to some issues on harley electric starter. I have a harley davidson soft tail heritage classic model 2000. And the issue is that, when I press on the starter button, the starter motor is rotating but the vindex drive doesnt punch through the fly wheel gear to start the motor engine. In addition to this, I have a history of accidentally pressing the starter button while the engine is running, instead of pressing the engine off button. Do you think this might caused the starter motor to malfunction?, If so, before purchasing a new haley starter, what alternative measures can I do to fix it? thank you, I appreciate your help with regards to this matter :)
SHOULDN'T THERE BE A WASHER THATS SETS ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE JACK SHAFT GEAR AND FITS IN THE GROOVE ON TOP OF THE NEEDLE BEARING???
Russell Mohr Yes, there is a brass thrust washer that is peened stationary into the case itself.
it looked like the one you replaced the needle bearing in didn't have one...maybe that why that bearing was shattered...i remember that stupid washer well......my manual showed it and i looked for 2 days for that fucker thinking it was just a loose washer. finally i decided to see if i could get by without it when i had one of my many "DUH" MOMENTS!!!....also when you switched over to electric start did you get a new primary case or did you ream out the hole and put a needle bearing in where the end jack shaft slips into to keep it lined up??.....i know the xlch's was the only model that had that primary case.....and we all know how i found that out or you can pretty much guess!!
Hey man great video. Very helpful when I was rebuilding my starter/ housing. New bendix, gear shaft, needle bearing, solenoid, and battery. Got a quick question for ya. I got everything put back together and back on the bike(77 ironhead) and bendix will not engage enough to make connection inside of solenoid to turn over engine. I read on some forms people have had a bent starter/bendix fork arm, or pins not centered on rod with spring and cup, boot jammed? Bendix hitting ring gear. Definitely a mechanical issue not electrical. So my question is, is there a common hang up issue inside of these housing's.?
Very good, thanks buddy
My starter motor gear has been stripped...no idea how but I'm gonna have to replace the armature..bit worried whatever caused it will happen again
Do you need to have two silonoids for that year mines giving me hell need help
hi can you help me i have a xlh 1000 but when i click on the starter i only click
nice video. i'm adding a electric start to my kick only xlch also, did you have to switch out the coil? did you have a schematic on how you wired it all up?
yea have a problem with everything kicking out but still not engaging could it be I need to bend the arm of the solinoid to kick it out further ,replaced the needle bearing and jack haft is good?
Do you have the shim in between the solenoid tab mounting to the housing? Do you just hear a clunk or like a whine bzzz but the engine doesn't turn?
awesome video ! can you show how you did the starter conversion ? like welding the gear on etc .
Hey thanks man! Actually just posted a video of a 72 Ironhead chopper I've been working on and debating on converting it. If I do make the switch I'll definitely post some videos! Thanks for watching!
+jfrost77hd awesome . looking forward to it!
Great videos!! Any idea where I can get a block off plate? I have a 77 electric start that I wanna convert to kick only
Hey thanks Brad, yeah Im sure there are some block off plates on ebay. They can be made pretty easily aswell, could use the starter housing as a template. If you really get in a bind I could probably scroung one up. Thanks for watching!
Can u do a video on stater etc my battery keeps going dead?? Thanks!
If you have the solenoid poles on the unit swapped it will drain the battery. The long pole goes to the battery and short to the starter if I remember correctly.
Can can I get a conversion kit for a 1959 Ironhead
👍
This video is immensely helpful. The only issue I have is I can't get my bike to start, just clicks once. I have a replacement solenoid on the way but it looks like I'll have to remove the primary and take a look at the whole starter system. Any tips?
Wouldnt hurt to check out the primary, usually remove battery, rear exhaust, disconnect resevoir bolts to battery tray or remove it and you can get to the solenoid. Thanks for watching!
How much did the swap cost
Can you have both kick and starter on these? Im trying to figure out what year my iron head is and its kicker only right now.
On some of them you can, your vin # will tell you what year and model it is. If it's kick only I'd guess your vin starts with 4A which is an XLCH. Your last number in the vin would tell you what year.
You talking on the frame or motor? The frame is a custom 04 hard tail frame. I’m trying to get the numbers on the motor.
@@HubbellMotorsports The engine #'s would be on the left side case below the cylinders above the timing plug on an early ones. Later ones are on the right side engine case near the base of the intake pushrod tubes.
can you pull the actual solenoid?
Can you have both electric and kick start?
On some of them you can have both kick and electric start.
@@jfrost77hd THANK YOU
Hey there sir. . you still around to ask a question
shim is in place
hey dude am looking for a motor for my bike do you have one you want to sell
Hopefully you will see this. I'm hoping to get in contact with you
What's up?
@@jfrost77hd first thing. Thanks for the videos sir. I'm a young guy building my own bikes and they've really helped me. Any chance you'd let me txt ya and ask some questions. Not a lot of people out there to help me out. 928-542-8801 names chris. I'd even pay ya for the info
@@christopheranthony9871 Hey thanks for watching the videos and glad they've been helpful. I really don't give out my number but I did just try calling you from a blocked number.
@@jfrost77hd did you try calling me?
@@jfrost77hd damn sir I'm sorry I missed it I rushed to the phone and didn't get it in time. Lol
I need to eBay and buy a starter for my 1974 xlch.
I've got lots of Ironhead stuff listed in my eBay store stores.ebay.com/frostcycleshack
Thanks for watching!
jfrost77hd Thanks I'll check it out.
a whine buzz
It's not work work work!! It's play play play!