Starter Motors for Sportster 1981→ and Big Twin 1989→

These starters have the magnetic switch built in

The structural separation in starter motor and solenoid switch needs a lot of space and is also not very service-friendly. Against this background, Harley-Davidson's decision to use a more compact starter design in the Sportster series from the early 1980s is understandable. A housing not much larger than a Hitachi or Prestolite starter motor houses the complete electric motor as well as the solenoid switch and the engagement mechanism. The external starter housing with the gears is also eliminated. The gear transmission and a freewheel are also integrated in the new starter motors. After eight years of successful testing in the Sportsters, the Big Twins then also got this new starter.

Can you repair the starter engine yourself?

Of course you can replace the starter motor completely. For this purpose we offer original spare parts or engines from Spyke. This is a good idea if the starter has accumulated a lot of service years and shows wear. That can include a worn armature and carbon brushes, burnt magnetic switch contacts and a freewheel which no longer functions 100%.

If only one of these problems occurs, you can repair such a starter yourself with a little care and good tools. To do this, you often do not even have to completely disassemble it. The quality spare parts for this work are available from us, along with tips from the service crew and instructions and manuals. And afterwards, you can reinstall the starter motor with a good feeling and cruise a few more ten thousand miles until the next overhaul.

Manual operation

All those who don't trust these relays for electric starting (what you don't have can't break!) or who want to do without the starter button for a clean handlebar, you can replace the cover of the solenoid switch with one with a starter button. After successful installation, simply press the button directly on the starter and - wroooom!