Motorcycle Repair: ring gear and starter, clutch basket, heritage softail

Question
QUESTION: Hi Mike.
I have a 1999 heritage softail classic with the 80ci evo engine, mileage ~38000.  I am thinking my starter is on the way out again even though it was done by the dealer just over a year ago.  Starter spins but not engaging at times 1st and 2nd try.  Could it be due to cold temperatures? Currently here  it is 5c-8c.  Southside John is recommending replacement of the ring gear if worn with a gear having 84 teeth instead of the 102 teeth. Do you know why he would recommend this?
Thanks for your time.

Helge.

ANSWER: If you change the gear you are changing the ratio. If you did that you would have to change the gear on the jackshaft as well. The cold is not causing the poblem. If your starter is not engaging then its either the soldnoid in the starter, the ring gear is worn on the clutch basket or the jackshaft is damaged
Good luck and happy riding
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again.
What is the advantage or disadvantage of going to 84 teeth on the ring gear?

Answer
It makes the starter not work as hard. This would only be an advantage if the bike is hard to turn over from high compression.If the starter just spins then the problem is what I described. The only disavantage would be cost.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike