Motorcycle Repair: 1981 shovel head w/electric start, shovel head, shovelhead

Question
I am doing some work on a customers 81 shovelhead with electric start and a kick start. He tells me that when he tries the elec. start that it makes a terrible grind and other noises. He also says that the bike runs fine when kick started. Where should I start and what should I look for.

Answer
I would start by removing the primary and inspecting the starter gear on the clutch and the strater drive gear. If they are ok, then remove the starter and inspect the gear on it and well as the bearings in the starter
Good luck and happy riding
Mike