I got a new starter for my 13 year old Craftsman riding mower. $40 fleabay. Universal after-market said to specifically include/fit my unit.

Installed it and it worked, but immediately after starting I could see sparks slinging off the flywheel and hear a grind. Shut it off and when comparing the old and new I perceived the gear on the new one to be about 1/8" taller, thus the grinding noise I heard.  Not to be outdone, I got my dremel tool out and carefully ground off every tooth about 1/8" at roughly the same angle and did a light sanding/rounding of the sharp edges.

Reinstalled the modified starter and guess what? WORKS PERFECT (knock on wood).

Now I wouldn't do this to ny truck or motorcycle, but for an old 'beater' of a mower that will at worst leave me stranded across my yard somewhere, what the heck.

I refuse to be defeated  

The new mower cuts the nice grass and the beater cuts the overgrown nasty  areas with rocks and stobs, etc.