Starter seals

nine lives

nine lives

Active Member
On my 06 mastiff I have had the common starter leak, new it was a matter of time till starter got gummed up and stoped working. Got on the dog today and had small starter turn then just the click of the compression releases.

Took my starter apart and it was totally gummed up. My question to anyone is, where can I get that seal that's behind the jackshaft,(I believe this is the culprit) and the large o-ring that goes around the starter motor. I could probably go to a bearing place and try to size up the seal, but that's not guaranteed. Does a Big Dog dealership carry these parts?

Just in case the questions start comming, yes I know it's the starter.
 
nine lives

nine lives

Active Member
OK, just milled a notch in the same area as the pic's. Hopefully can find that seal tomorrow at a local bearing dealer. Will let everyone know how this modification works out.
 
nine lives

nine lives

Active Member
Well put my starter in after through cleaning and milling slot hit the button and.................nothing, fuckin thing is dead. I guess I'll get a re-man starter and have this one re-built.
 
nine lives

nine lives

Active Member
Starter Update

Had my starter re-built today by some Amish guys here in PA that have been re-building starters and electrical components for years. They said they put a new armature and replaced my bendics (spelling?) shaft and bad seal. They said the amature was very pitted and the shaft size was out of spec. Wow, I wonder if this out of spec. shaft size is the cause of all the seal problems? All this for $88 bucks!:whoop: Now let's see if the milled cut-out I put in the housing works. I may never know if the seal is working properly. Thinking about getting a spare starter off of eBay just incase.
 
Asphalt Cowboy

Asphalt Cowboy

Member
Sounds Good! You have to love the Amish! I am in Guam and get the majority of my parts from the Harley Dealership in Hawaii! They had 11 of the o-rings for out side the starter a month ago. They have a great sales department, and shipping has been good on everything, including a clutch cable.
 
R

RidgeRider

New Member
I've heard it is also wise to check/clean your primary vent screen on the back side of the primary case. To locate it position yoursef on the throttle-side of the motorcycle and look just past the transmission. Mine was just in front of the the rear heim joint connecting the shift linkage to the trans. Blast it with a little non-chlorinated break cleaner (you dont need much). This will help vent the primary case when it gets hot. When these clog up, pressure will build inside the primary and bust through the seals and get into the starter. Another sure-fire option is to install a good belt primary drive. I put the Baker one on mine.
 
nine lives

nine lives

Active Member
Starter seems to be working great! Rode over 300 miles and no tell tail black oil spot on the ground after a ride. Been in the 90's here in PA, if it was gona leak it would do it in this kind of heat. I did look at that vent when I had my starter out. Tryed to blow through it, seemed like the diaphram was not operating, so I put a very small hole in it. As I said, all's good knock on wood.
 
Pu239

Pu239

Member
nine lives said:
On my 06 mastiff I have had the common starter leak, new it was a matter of time till starter got gummed up and stoped working. Got on the dog today and had small starter turn then just the click of the compression releases.

Took my starter apart and it was totally gummed up. My question to anyone is, where can I get that seal that's behind the jackshaft,(I believe this is the culprit) and the large o-ring that goes around the starter motor. I could probably go to a bearing place and try to size up the seal, but that's not guaranteed. Does a Big Dog dealership carry these parts?

Just in case the questions start comming, yes I know it's the starter.
Click to expand...
Dude,
Sounds like a problem I had w/2007 Chopper. The culprit was a clogged primary vent (located on back of inner primary near shifter linkage). I spent $400+ because of a $few part. Take the vent out and see if air blows thru easily. If not, that's probably the trouble.
BD dealers usually stock or can order the o-rings. Actually, good hardware & automotive stores have them too. You just have to be careful to measure the o-ring thickness and diameters.
Hope you fix it.
Louie/Pu239
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top