Today I was starting my bike. It turned over a couple of times and then made a nasty grinding sound. I let off of the start button. Then I hit it again, the bike turned over like normal and started. I started the bike three or four more times later in the day with no grinding sounds. Why would this happen? Could it be the starter solenoid going bad?

 

Mine did that a few times and the last time it broke a tooth off the starter drive gear.
You might take a look at your ring gear on the clutch hub to see if it is eaten up at all.

 

a weak solenoid can cause the starter to make a really bad racket , similar to grinding , and it can break the ring gear, the nice thing is the rebuild kit for the solenoid is available and pretty cheap, a lot of the times it the internal contacts pitted causing to starter to engage and disengage rapidly and th ekit fixes it quick and cheap, instead of replacing the whole starter

 

Hitachi starter, but what model and year bike?

Engine modifications?

When I hear grinding noise when the starter is cranking, my first thought is the starter clutch.

 

Could be the starter clutch...could also be the "ears" on the starter gear shift lever worn out..I doubt it is the solenoid.

 

A shovelhead!!!! Ahhh... Ahhh... Get it away!!!! Get it away!!!! THE PAIN!!!!

 

Used the exact same starter on touring bikes until 89

 

Sorry..it's a 1988 FLHTC. It doesn't happen very often and never when the bike is cold. Only the occasional hot start. I think the resistance of the hot engine trying to turn over and start is enough to cause it. I have asked around and some people seem to think it could be a bad ground or a battery that's just weak enough to cause the issue. I will check the wiring and grounding later this evening.

 

I found this thread, prob NOT for either of mine, (67genshvl & 07FLSTSC).

I am perplexed: Mine too seems to do it only when hot. I am in IN right by MI line. it has not done it since last year (and I already have 1800 something on it this year). Wouldn't ya know it, I am leaving for a trip. 20 days a tent! SC FL TX all over, looking forward to it, no interstate: REAL biking.. anyway.. off topic.. The damn thing does it now that it's hitting high 60's after I ride it a while. I hear a bunch of stuff, that leads me to wonder if i was just a "parts changer" and did the starter clutch it may be the Comp, or vise versa, (I already checked the elec connections and load tested batt) It looks like a BIG job to do the SE comp, and then starter clutch, and I may as well do the starter while in there!? Isn't there a WQAY to really tell WHICH it is?

 

oh.. my 07