What causes my04 sportster starter to drag badly when i go to restart the bike after i have driven about 5 miles

SOURCE: Starter dragging problem

You added an extra ground but did nothing with the positive cable. It's time to replace that one, possibly using better quality cable then stock.

SOURCE: Starter dragging problem

Two things come to mind, other than an internal problem with the starter. Diconnect the battery and take the small cover off the solenoid. pull the plunger and spring out and check the 2 internal contacts and the copper washer on the plunger for a badly burned or worn condition. Rebuild kits are available for some models. If not, you can dress up the contacts and the washer. Push the plunger in by hand and see that it hits both contacts at the same time.
Another possibility is the starter clutch. Usually when these fail the starter spins without turning the engine over, but I have seen them cause the symptom you described. Replacement involves removing the starter and dissasembly of the drive end of the starter, but since you were savvy enough to take the initial steps you mentioned, I know you can handle it.

SOURCE: 1984 aspencade. When I start the bike. The starter

sounds like a bad battery.charge the battery,get a load tester and check.replace battery if bad.if not,check the starter clutch

SOURCE: restarting problem when bike is above temp.

sounds like the fuel is being evaporated by the heat hence hard to start when hot, but when it cools down enough the fuel is not effected, check fuel filter & fuel pump pressure,

http://manualfile.com/Motorcycle/Kawasaki/kawasaki-ninja-zx-12r-factory-service-manual.html

here is a manual to help.

Testimonial: "thank you i didn"t think about that......thanks"

SOURCE: sometimes my 2007 fxdwg starts

I thought it was the starter clutch inside the starter when I first read this but they act a bit different than this when they go bad. What happens with them is you hear the starter turning but the engine is not turning over. Your problem sounds more like the jackshaft is not engaging correctly with the ring gear. The only way to tell that is to pull the outer primary cover and inspect the jackshaft gear and the ring gear on the starter for damage. For safety sake, I'd disconnect the battery first. If either part looks all chewed up, this is the problem. You must replace both the starter jackshaft and the ring gear on the outer clutch shell if this is the problem. One other thing it could be is the "hold in coil" in solenoid section of the starter. If there is a starter rebuild shop in the area, I'd take the starter off and take it to them to have it checked out. The drag pipes have absolutely nothing to do with this. If you have changed the primary cover or the clutch, this might be the cause. Otherwise, this is a problem that I'd have to see to try to diagnose. So, this is my best guess and it is only a guess. Sorry, but I can't put my finger right on it. Good Luck

Ride Safe
Steve