I defiantly have a starter problem. Problem 2 is I have never replaced a starter before. I have taken the mount bolts and ground cables off. Is this thing held on on the inside of the bindex or something? Or do I just got to man handle it with a pry bar and hammer? Has anyone experienced this problem? It is a 2000 500 Sportsman RSE. any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

My Manual told me to get special tools and remove primary and secondary clutches to remove back belt housing plate just to make room to remove one remaining bottom starter mounting bolt!

Instead this is what I did. I took out the air box and removed the top easy starter mounting bolt. With the bottom stubborn mounting bolt you just back in off until it hits the backplate of belt housing,it will not come out but will disconnect.
Than I used large channel locks and turned the start clockwise until the bolt was at the 12 O'Clock position and slipped the bolt and the starter right out no problem.

I can,t believe my " Clymer" manual wanted me to tear down half the bike to remove one bolt!

BTW it turned out one of my starter bushes was sticking so I cleaned it up and it works great now.

 

Man thats gonna save me lots of heart ache! Thanks for the info!