Ultima starter fitment on an '89 FXR

[jwvess00]

Hi there!

The patient is Dad's '89 FXR. The starter has become intermittant -- sometimes it will start the bike, sometimes not. We have isolated the problem to the starter itself; the relay, switch, wiring, etc. are fine.

We've been looking at Ultima 1.4kW angle-post starters. Ultima claims that it fits '89-'05 with not fitment problems. When I look at the photograph of the starter, however, it's different than the stock one.

On the stock starter, the "50" terminal (wire from the relay) is on the bottom of the solenoid, and the cable from the solenoid to the starter motor itself is on the top. On the Ultima starter, this is exactly backwards -- the "50" terminal is on top, and the solenoid-to-starter cable is on the bottom. The battery cable appears to be in the same place.

Has anyone used an Ultima starter on their FXR (especially an '89)? Were there any fitment issues?

Any help is appreciated.

Jay Vessels
2003 Sportster 1200S
Lexington, KY

[Dan]

I tried to put a 2.4 spike on a 1990 and it would not work.I then tried another starter from midwest.It was made in Tenn. by some car co.,.not a Ultima.It would not even come close to fitting.I finally wound up getting a OEM and it fit perfect. Thing is that they say 89 up,but they do'nt fit as you are finding out. Just do some homework first. I think HD makes a up grade model ,but not sure.You have a weird year as I do.

[jwvess00]

Hi there!

We just finished putting the Ultima 1.4kW starter on, and it fits great. We were a bit concerned about the differences in solenoid-to-starter cable, but it almost fits better than the stock one. Still putting the primary, etc. back together so we're not sure how it performs.

I found one on eBay from a dealer that claimed it was a USA-made 1.4kW starter, and while it never claimed to be an Ultima it certainly looked a lot like one. We didn't pick it up, but I wonder if that's the same brand you tried on your '90...