Clickity Cli

[RockOn]

That is what I first heard but second press of the starter button sounded like SNAP CRACKLE POP as if something was sparking or arcing under the bike. I duck walked the bike, '06 Classic, back into the garage and spent the day with friends riding my Harley.
So, wondering where to start. I think the battery, cables and connections are good but will check them. I read the sticky about inexpensive starter replacement, that gave me a headache and much confusion. I think I will probably go that route and replace the motor with the recommended 1.4 kw unit if I can figure out which one is correct. I can't tell from that sticky thread if I should get a solenoid repair kit or just scavenge parts from the solenoid that comes with the new starter.
Any recommendations about this stuff is appreciated.

 

[Kevin frazier]

Get the kit and the starter for the Toyota or whichever one you get, with the repair kit you can change the parts you’ll have to it’s obvious, gear and plunger i changed with the kit, no worries

 

[EwoutR3]

I would first check the battery, does it start with jumper cables?

 

[Gregger]

That is what I first heard but second press of the starter button sounded like SNAP CRACKLE POP as if something was sparking or arcing under the bike. I duck walked the bike, '06 Classic, back into the garage and spent the day with friends riding my Harley.
So, wondering where to start. I think the battery, cables and connections are good but will check them. I read the sticky about inexpensive starter replacement, that gave me a headache and much confusion. I think I will probably go that route and replace the motor with the recommended 1.4 kw unit if I can figure out which one is correct. I can't tell from that sticky thread if I should get a solenoid repair kit or just scavenge parts from the solenoid that comes with the new starter.
Any recommendations about this stuff is appreciated.

Before you do anything, you need to determine where the sparking noise is coming from. I'm guessing your battery cables might be loose or the positive cable might be touching the frame somewhere on it's journey to the starter (insulation might be chaffed off). The arcing noise could be coming from the starter also but I wouldn't change it on a hunch unless you have lots of money to replace parts as a troubleshoot method. I've often spotted an arcing problem by checking for the source with the vehicle in the dark. Any arcing will show up quickly as a flash.

 

[Boog]

I agree with Gregger about looking for the sparks in the dark, and checking all easy fixes first before buying stuff. One of my biggest issues over 72K miles is the battery cables coming lose or getting corrosion.
If you go with the starter upgrade, you can find mine on the thread starting at post #155 Inexpensive Starter Replacement
It was easy to do, I installed the 17774NP (motor only).

 

[Kevin frazier]

I couldn’t agree more you need to find out bout the sparking, that’s a cable loose or frayed like stated above, then starter upgrade you’ll like

 

[Steel]

I wouldn't replace the starter unless you know it's bad. First I'd put a better ground cable, then you'll see how good the stock starter works. Betty has 13.5:1 compression and spins over quickly with a good battery. First I'd follow the advice of @EwoutR3 and @Gregger . It seems that most R3 electrical problems get traced back to a weak battery, or bad connections.

 

[RockOn]

All good thoughts, thanks.

 

[RockOn]

Surprised to find battery voltage at rest vary between 11.9 and 12.1 despite always on battery tender. Bar mounted gauge usually indicated 13.9 to 14.3 when on tender. Voltage dropping down to 6.5 plus or minus when thumbing start button.....what sounded like snap, crackle, pop yesterday is just a very loud CLICK CLICK CLICK. Search results saying that 6.5 volts usually indictates time for new battery. Mine is a gel type about 2.5 years old. Need opinions about better batteries/types to consider. Thanks, again.

 

[Kevin frazier]

All over the place on batteries, agm at sams club, stock yuassa works good, your climate your cash for said battery, you’ll find people on here go to Walmart every couple years to guys that 2 batts, all kinds of differences here on batteries, get one best for you and ride brutha