| Author | Message | ||
     Drhutch81 |
My starter has intermittently began making that awful screeching noise- it happened 3 times during a 1,000 mile trip in Baja last week. Only happened when the bike was hot on startup, and the battery is less than a year old and holding a charge well. Am I right to assume it's time to replace? Also, it looks like you can get an aftermarket ebay starter for around $120, while the OEM starter is upwards of $400. The bike has 32k miles on it, I'm wondering if it's worth investing the money for an OEM starter? Or will the cheaper aftermarket version suffice? Thanks guys! | ||
| Roostre |
I've never had to fix the starter on my Buell... but over the years I've done quite a few other starter motors on rare old cars and such. I've found that the old school local rebuild places do 300% better job and use better materials/bearings, etc. than the cheapy Ebay type stuff. Every one I've had rebuilt has been reliable. All the "lifetime warranty" cheapos have left me doing the job several times, so now I just pay for a quality rebuild. My non-Buell experience. I'm sure the regular crew will have better Buell specific knowledge. | ||
| Shoggin |
The cheap ones on e-bay are exactly that. Cheap. It should be obvious how important that part is. Especially in Baja. I've never been able to run-start my high compression V-twin. Usually the cheap ones have a very low wattage rating (weak) even when new and we all know Buell's need a strong battery and a strong starter. The e-bay ones also have the wrong (non-sealed) bearing in the nosecone allowing primary oil into the starter and out the breather hole in the starter case, that looks just like a rocker cover leak $$ mistake if you don't know what to look for. FWIW, A "screeching sound" (not a grinding sound) is usually the starter clutch anyway. You can get it separately, but I'd just get the whole thing and not worry about any ruined trips getting towed home. SPHDonline.com. You don't have to go to a HD dealer, but I'd get a genuine one. My dad always told me "Being cheap, always costs the most"  | ||
| Biffdotorg |
Yup, I will second and third the advice above. My starter died and I bought the higher wattage Ebay starter for around $120 shipped. Honestly, it was more powerful and started the engine with no hesitation like the factory starter. But as mentioned, it allowed oil to leak into the starter, and then out onto the Trans/crankcase. I really thought I had a head gasket or rocker leak. But no it was the starter. I was living with the small amount until this past fall the start took a crap. So instead of the $400 OEM starter, I ordered the $250 All Balls starter as others had suggested. I have yet to install it, but that will be my first spring project as the ice/snow leave the streets. If you do choose to go the cheapo route, keep your old starter and pull the clutch off which has the proper sealed bearing and use it with the cheapo starter motor. It should work fine. Good luck! | ||
| Shoggin |
Except a "screeching noise" IS usually the starter clutch, so using the original one won't fix his problem unless he disassembles the whole nosecone to steal the old used bearing to put in the 'New' cheap-o starter. Isn't the new, good, one sounding better by now? haha | ||
| Fernus |
Where do you get the all balls one? Anyone try the Amazon one? | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I'll be the counterpoint here. My 2000 X1 cranks over as good as new but my 2008 XB12X always cranked over slowly. It did finally die with the same symptoms above. I was about to buy the real H-D part but I choked when I found the price. The AUTHENTIC H-D part from Denso was afterall the part that crapped out in the first place. So I went with a knock off from amazon and it worked fine. Cranks over quickly too. | ||
| Fernus |
My XB12XT cranks very weak and I have to release the start button and press it again to get it to start. It some times seems to miss and make a terrible noise. The PO said the higher power battery wasn't available so he put a sportster battery in it. I never get the clock reset so I think it's not the battery but I'm not sure. | ||
| Tootal |
I recently put an All Balls in my Road Glide and it spins it over faster than the original starter did when the compression was stock! I was very impressed. If the Buell ever dies it will be an All Balls! | ||
| Drhutch81 |
I ordered an All Balls for $327, about $100 cheaper than the OEM starter. It had great reviews- I always felt the OEM starter was a tad underpowered. I'll let you guys know how it works. Speaking of which, how difficult is the install? Anybody install a new starter on their Uly? I'm sure Harley would charge at least $400 in labor. | ||
| Ourdee |
  I found these pics in this thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/646487.html | ||
| Dualsportdad |
as far as i know you have to rotate the engine and remove the primary cover. even if you've never rotated a engine before it's not a huge deal. took me about 2 hours my first time. i'm almost positive i could do it in about 45 min my 2nd go around. | ||
| Griffmeister |
You shouldn’t have to rotate the engine just to change the starter. I removed mine to change the starter clutch a few years ago and I don’t remember doing anything more than removing the primary cover, along with anything that was in the way. Now that people are mentioning that some clutches allow oil to leak I wonder if that’s the source of my oil leak? Didn’t want to wait to order a Buell clutch so I got a Drag Specialties clutch from a local independent HD shop. Would have thought that a direct fit for an HD would be okay, but maybe not? | ||
| Fernus |
I'm no expert but I believe the clutch that could cause an oil leak is the starter clutch not the drive clutch. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
That's right, we are referring to the starter clutch. On that same note, you do not have to rotate the engine. You will find it to be a very tight squeeze on the pulley side to pull the starter out. Keep in mind to re-route the breather and oil lines as it can be a source of oil as well if done wrong. Take lots of pics with flash for reference. I'm ready for riding season! I will do my second starter install as soon as the sleds are put away |
