Ironhead "Normal places where Ironheads leak oil

[Spacerust]

Ok, the paper towel method helped me find where the leak was. It didn't leak while sitting so obviously it only leaked when it ran and then when i would stop it would spill over. It is the starter. Now i took it off and i could see whet it was running down. I bought a generic thermostat gasket that i could use and i also bought the blue silicon gasket maker. Which would be better to use? Also when I'm trying to put the starter back together there are these four little armatures that come out and i need to hold them in to place the middle part back. What I'd the easiest way to do that. I thought about unscrewing the for screws but then I'm taking it all apart and if i don't need to, i won't.

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[98ultra]

Sounds like the brushes in the starter. Did you start pulling it apart? I hate getting those things back together. I need to put the gasket on mine one of these days but for sure will not pull the starter apart.
Wish I had a magic method for getting it back together but I don't think there is one.

[gdixon61]

hmmmm sometimes on the brush holders there will be a hole on both sides, push the brushes down and slip a paper clip through to hold the brushes and when the brushes are held by what you slide over them partially you remove the paper clips ....not sure if you can do this on a Harley starter but most things with brushes have a way to make it simple like that.

[Inked01]

Last starter that i put together I used zipties to hold the brushes in the holders, slid the holder onto the armature. Cut the zipties and presto, piece of cake!

[72 Ironhead XLH]

monofiliment
garbage bag ties
nylon ties
string

[gdixon61]

one place duct tape might not work so well though