when starting my bike (02 wideglide) very occasionally its stopped turning over and made an embarrassing grating sound then i press the starter again and it starts up with no problem. the other day the something happened when there were loads of people about it was embarrassing to say the least only this time there was a blow back through the carb with a cloud of smoke comimg from the carb has this same thing happend to you or is this something which Harleys sometimes do or is there a problem. thanks for any help

 

wow. BlowBack.....check the Carb Bowl, as well as the Plugs, fouling can cause a misfire or a delayed misfire causing build up of gas in the chamber, hence blow back. get er' looked at, before you bust a seal.

 

ohhh, and check your adjustments for the Carb. she might be running a bit Rich..

 

Starter clutch issues?? I wouldn't worry about a cough of smoke until you correct the starter issue. A warm engine that starts to turn over then stops in the middle of the sequence can very well cough back some smoke and compression. Correct the starter issue and I'll bet the other goes away with it.

 

you need a new starter drive clutch
you have already worked out the backfire only happens when the clutch slips

 

Rickr got it exactly.I'll get that cough now and then and though embarassing that is the extent of the issue. My '08 had the srarter drive clutch changed under warranty just two weeks ago with about 15000 on the odo. Should be easy to fix according to others who answered this same question for me!

 

+1 you need to fix the starter the back fire through the carb is gas laying in the hot motor

 

09 Fat bob here, I don't get the grinding sound the first poster reported but I get like a small backfire through the intake once in a while when starting it. No smoke comes out but it is a loud bang and it seems to happen just as I think it is going to start and I let off the starter button then bang, try again and it starts right up and runs great. It may not do it again for several weeks. Whats the deal with that? I have a PC-V, heavy breather and V@H Big Shots Staggered. Runs great and plugs look perfect.

 

I'm actually bringing my 08 Fat Bob in to the dealer tomorrow for the same problem. Intermittent grinding noise when trying to start with accompanying cough/backfire and smoke. I'm assuming it's the starter clutch.

 

Well keep us updated Evil Stepdad. I am interested to see if the dealer does anything to cure it or not. I may have to take mine in if it starts doing more often.