Shovelhead Starter Problems

[Buzz Kanter]

I have an old Shovelhead Sturgis model I bought a year or so ago as a possible project bike for American Iron Magazine. But I am now thinking of just selling it. So I went to start it to make sure things are OK.

When I bought the bike the seller said he had some issues with the starter - sometimes it was fine other times not so much. Well, I charged up the battery (the bike had been sitting for a couple of months) and hit the electric starter. I could hear it trying to turn but no. I tried it again with the same response.

So I hit it a third time and held it on and I saw smoke come up and then the in-line circuit breaker blew. I waited a few minutes and the circuit breaker reset itself. When I tried it agin the same results.

That was last week. Today I brought the bike home and spent a little time fooling with it. I tried the electric starter and it blew the circuit breaker again. But after a dozen kicks on the manual kickstarter the bike came to life and sounded amazing (I am not a fan of straight pipes - but they sure sounded serious on this Shovel).

I am planning on checking the ground of the starter - any other suggestions on what to check or replace?

Anyone interested in buying a nice Sturgis Shovelehead, please let me know as this one is for sale. Too many projects, never enough time.

[the draggin]

Buzz, there is a relay similar to the old ford style under the battery tray. The ground wire from the relay mount bolt to the transmission stud/bracket/nut may be broken or corroded. This drove me nuts for a while, fortunately I had the kicker to get her goin so riding wasn't impaired.

[pacman]

i had a stugis for awhile ,the starter system is diffrent than chain drive,i would pull starter and service it,as far as starter solinoid a snapper mower push button will take care of that problem and a few wires,back to starter brush replacement will make a world of diffrence ,comutator might be burnt you can ohm it according to manual ,jack shaft is diffrent to so if you get a deal make sure its not for a chain drive they look alot alike hope this helps jp cycle has a goods breakdown on these starters better than manual ................branch

[Shovlhd83]

Hey Buzz, had the same problem with mine. drove me crazy for yrs. had indy check it out .could not figure it out either. i pulled the starter had it checked out,starter was fine replaced selinoid, cleaned ground at relay,added a second ground wire,still the same thing. ran a jumper wire to the handle bar switch to see if it was a problem with that wire. still the same. pulled the starter assy. apart checked jack shaft it was not bent cleaned everything real good put back togather still the same. also brand new fresh battery. by now i was about ready to put a match to the dam thing.........not really i have a love hate relationship with it. anyone with a Shovel knows what i mean. it would turn over real good if i jumped the selinoid. so a few yrs. ago i hooked up a swich direct to the selinoid, bypassing the handle bar switch works every time.

[GrayRider]

I have a FXDWG3 that I might consider offering in a trade deal.