Motorcycle Repair: 91 sportster, weeks answer, relay switch

Question
QUESTION: I'm sitting here with my manual on the driveway with a new starter in my 91 Sportster. I'm really struggling here. My starter whines but only starts occasionally. When I bump it with the cover off I can see the clutch ring gear is being engaged, but mostly doing nothing else. The teeth on the pinion gear and the clutch ring gear are in good shape, the teeth all look good. The relay switch has been changed and the solenoid is inside the starter(I think). I have a new battery. What else can it be? My wife just started riding and her baby's been down for two weeks.

ANSWER: When the gear on the starter engages the ring gear does the motor turn over?
Mike

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

QUESTION: no not at all . could it of sheared the rivets that holds the clutch ring?

Answer
Make sure your battery is fully charged or it wont turn over. If you sheared the rivets the ring geat would just spin. You need to pull your starter and do some tests on it. the clutch in the starter might be bad or the solenoid is bad, since youa re not sure if its been changed
Good luck and happy riding
Mike