starter solenoid

[tbird]

07 ultra. Went to start bike nothing there. 1 month old battery. Everything else checked out. Rapped the solenoid with screwdriver handle and its ok again.  I got a solenoid repair kit and will put in later this week. My question is can I pull the maxi fuse and do repair. Or do I need to disconnect the battery? Thanks

[04 SE Deuce]

Disconnect the battery.  You may have a dead spot on the starter armature.

[packrat56]

 
  negative first
   
   packrat56

[tbird]

I'm also going to add a button starter

[1workinman]

I was thinking about adding the button cover plate that goes on the  starter . If the starter does not work I can use that to help me get the bike started if the solenoid does not work .

[Pete_Vit]

Do the newer bikes have a neutral safety? if so, remember no neutral safety, I think it can start in gear 

[glens]

Hasn't it been a good ten years at least since you could crank the engine in gear without the clutch pulled in?

If the bike's got a security siren, you might want to turn on the ignition and wait for the security to disarm, then pull the main fuse before disconnecting the battery.

[Pete_Vit]

Hasn't it been a good ten years at least since you could crank the engine in gear without the clutch pulled in?

If the bike's got a security siren, you might want to turn on the ignition and wait for the security to disarm, then pull the main fuse before disconnecting the battery.

That's what I was thinking, but CRS creeps in most times than not. both my bikes are 90's models  so I was thinking the button cover plate the OP was talking about would allow the engine to crank without those safety interlocks ? just curious

[Jim Bronson]

I pulled the fuse on my 05 Dyna to install the kit and button.

[Soft 02]

One other thing to look at when its out. See if the positive contact for the solenoid hasnt rotated slightly from tightening the nut.

[Hossamania]

For safety reasons, disconnected the battery. Pulling the negative cable should be good enough. I like to tape up the end of the cable to prevent an accidental contact with the terminal.

[Jim Bronson]

In my 05, the starter motor is connected directly to the battery. The solenoid can't operate without the maxi fuse plugged in, the start relay plugged in, and the ignition switch turned on. When I replaced mine, I pulled the fuse for giggles. If you're installing a button, be careful that you don't accidentally short the solenoid contacts with it, because the button bypasses everything like it's supposed to do.

If you have any concerns, it is best to just disconnect the battery.