Oil Leak/Starter Removal
- Thread starter MadMarx
- Start date
Starters are real easy. Two bolts and the wire connectors. Pull you exhaust (if you have too, depending on what you run) and remove the right side electrical cover and pull the bolts and wires and lift it over the belt. Easy.
Understand that many early RSD models suffered from this leak and a new seal kit is available to correct it. Check the power cable to make sure it is not saturated with oil while you are at it.
I believe there are even How To's on removing this if you look in that section.
Understand that many early RSD models suffered from this leak and a new seal kit is available to correct it. Check the power cable to make sure it is not saturated with oil while you are at it.
I believe there are even How To's on removing this if you look in that section.
MadMarx
Active Member
Well I decided to pull the starter seeing I don't have a Big Dog dealer close by and well I don't trust anybody anyways.
I'm posting pics to see if you guys can point me in the right direction.
I plan on getting some cleaner tomorrow and dousing the starter to clean out all the oil.
I went to the local Harley dealer for handlebar bushings and asked if they could set me up with starter seals/o-rings and they didn't know what I'd need.
So, if anyone can give me any info on the starter that they could cross reference then they could get me the parts.
I'm posting pics to see if you guys can point me in the right direction.
I plan on getting some cleaner tomorrow and dousing the starter to clean out all the oil.
I went to the local Harley dealer for handlebar bushings and asked if they could set me up with starter seals/o-rings and they didn't know what I'd need.
So, if anyone can give me any info on the starter that they could cross reference then they could get me the parts.
Dude, that thing is shot. Best bet is to take it to a starter re-build shop and have them rebuild it. Call your dealer up and have them send you the new seal kit.
Shovelheadkicker has re-manufactered ones on eBay all the time.
Your HD won't have or know what you need for this RSD starter unless they are a BD dealer.
Shovelheadkicker has re-manufactered ones on eBay all the time.
Your HD won't have or know what you need for this RSD starter unless they are a BD dealer.
Some of the members here have had them rebuilt for about a hundred bucks so if they have a quick turn around........ Your extended warranty may take days (if they even warranty it) and of course they may want you to take it to the dealer so weigh your options.
You could get one quickly from Shovelhead for less than $150 then have your current one rebuilt as a spare and come out good in the long run. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0404588989&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT
:2thumbs:
You could get one quickly from Shovelhead for less than $150 then have your current one rebuilt as a spare and come out good in the long run. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0404588989&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT
:2thumbs:
TheDeadOne
Banned
From the pics. I really can't tell if the starter is shot, but there is way, way too much oil and grease all over everything.
1) Clean the thing up first with a cleaner or solvent.
2) Then clean it really good with electrical "contact cleaner".
3) Check out "all" of the starter seals and o-rings.
4) Check the actual level of the primary fluid. 1 qt. is max. fill, but the starter looks like many I have seen from overfilling the primary.
Do these things first to make a better determination on things and then go from there. :2thumbs:
dead
1) Clean the thing up first with a cleaner or solvent.
2) Then clean it really good with electrical "contact cleaner".
3) Check out "all" of the starter seals and o-rings.
4) Check the actual level of the primary fluid. 1 qt. is max. fill, but the starter looks like many I have seen from overfilling the primary.
Do these things first to make a better determination on things and then go from there. :2thumbs:
dead
V
Guru
If not mentioned already (short attn span) there was a recall/repair notice on this back when it first started happenin. My 05 Pit did this, i pulled it and shipped it to the dealer, they repaired the seal and shipped it back to me.
Rays Idea of having the spare is a good one cause no one near me has anything like it. Closest dealer is 3 hours one way
Rays Idea of having the spare is a good one cause no one near me has anything like it. Closest dealer is 3 hours one way
MadMarx
Active Member
Well I drove down to the closest BD shop (45 min away) and the service dept. was F'n closed!!!:bang:
I guess you should never assume the service dept will be open if the rest of the dealership is.
I spoke to Bob Lockwood at BDM and he told me to talk to Shovelheadkicker too. I just sent him an email.
I'm going to clean my starter check the primary oil level (if I can figure out how) and put it back together for now so I can ride this weekend. I ordered a service manual off ebay. Hope it gets here soon.
Thanks for all the advice!!:2thumbs:
I guess you should never assume the service dept will be open if the rest of the dealership is.
I spoke to Bob Lockwood at BDM and he told me to talk to Shovelheadkicker too. I just sent him an email.
I'm going to clean my starter check the primary oil level (if I can figure out how) and put it back together for now so I can ride this weekend. I ordered a service manual off ebay. Hope it gets here soon.
Thanks for all the advice!!:2thumbs:
MadMarx
Active Member
I haven't heard back from Shovelheadkicker, but I did see he has one listed on ebay.
Anyone care to share some info on reassembling the starter from their manual?
Mine hasn't arrived yet.
Should the gears be lightly greased before assembly or is the primary oil actually supposed to get in there enough to coat them?
Here are some after cleaning pics:
Anyone care to share some info on reassembling the starter from their manual?
Mine hasn't arrived yet.
Should the gears be lightly greased before assembly or is the primary oil actually supposed to get in there enough to coat them?
Here are some after cleaning pics:
You did a good job of cleaning that thing up. I would put a bit of bearing grease on the gears. And no, the primary oil is not supposed to get in there. You do need to ensure you get the new style seal that prevents the oil from getting in. Hope it works when you hook it back up.I haven't heard back from Shovelheadkicker, but I did see he has one listed on ebay.
Anyone care to share some info on reassembling the starter from their manual?
Mine hasn't arrived yet.
Should the gears be lightly greased before assembly or is the primary oil actually supposed to get in there enough to coat them?
Here are some after cleaning pics:
Oh, Shovelhead has never replied to any of my emails either. He was on here the other day looking around. I would just bid on the one he has listed. He usually has one listed all the time.
TheDeadOne
Banned
That clean up job looks great! :2thumbs:
And so does the starter itself! :2thumbs:
Was the last cleaner you used in the process "contact cleaner" to get off any of the other cleaning residues? If not, that needs to be done too. :2thumbs:
Hell, you get the new style starter seals installed in that starter and I'll bet it will be just fine! :2thumbs:
Just call either the dealer you visited or contact "Bikerdream" a.k.a. Steve or "mcgroom" a.k.a. Mick on here and see if they can overnight you all of what what you need for repairs. :2thumbs:
Good Luck! :2thumbs:
dead
And so does the starter itself! :2thumbs:
Was the last cleaner you used in the process "contact cleaner" to get off any of the other cleaning residues? If not, that needs to be done too. :2thumbs:
Hell, you get the new style starter seals installed in that starter and I'll bet it will be just fine! :2thumbs:
Just call either the dealer you visited or contact "Bikerdream" a.k.a. Steve or "mcgroom" a.k.a. Mick on here and see if they can overnight you all of what what you need for repairs. :2thumbs:
Good Luck! :2thumbs:
dead
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knucklehead
Member
Thanks for the post and pics. I have the same problem and need the seals too.
MadMarx
Active Member
MadMarx
Active Member
I tried to pm Bikerdream and got a message that the name was not found.Just call either the dealer you visited or contact "Bikerdream" a.k.a. Steve or "mcgroom" a.k.a. Mick on here and see if they can overnight you all of what what you need for repairs. :2thumbs:
dead
I did send a pm to mcgroom though.
Thanks
mcgroom
Well-Known Member
PM received. Wish I could help on this one guys. BDM part as far as I can tell. If someone let's me know the original manufacture, I can set-up with them but still looking at a couple of weeks before you have one.
Bikersdream or local BDM shop.
Tried for a while to get BDM parts, :bang::bang::bang: not going to happen anytime soon.
knucklehead
Member
Thanks again madmarx. I sent mcgroom a pm also. Called my dealer and was told that there is only one O-ring between starter and primary. So my question is are there seals inside the starter to replace? Dealer said "you can't buy parts for the starer, you have to buy a new starter from bdm" I would like to have all the parts before I pull it. Thanks
I would like to have all the parts before I pull it. Thanks
knucklehead
Member
Thanks mcgroom. I just called steve at bikersdream, and he said that the starters are made in canada, and he can't get parts for them anymore.