It only happens every so often but the soon has I hit the starter button I hear kind of a scraping sound as it turns over. I have a 2010 Ultra Classic about to turn over 32,000 miles. I bought the bike new and it's always had the best of care. I'm wondering if it could be the cam tensioners starting to go bad ? I think I heard it twice today but other than that it's been a while since I've heard it. My bike seems to run fine it's just the occasional start up noise that has me concerned. This is my first time dealing with this type of thing, any suggestions ? Thanks.

 

Seems like I "hear" new sounds every time I ride my Harley. I have 58k on it now, a 2010 StreetGlide. I have the ESP, let it blow up, CNA will pay for it.

 

There's a known compensator issue causing similar noises.. Check out the dyna section...search compensator. Or check my recent posts. Should lead you to the dyna thread regarding start up noises and crappy OEM compensator in our bikes. Recent Q & A topic in tech section of American Iron magazine..hope this helps.

 

If it has a new sound at start up it's totalled.

 

Could be the throw out clutch for the starter gear.

 

That would be my guess. I have the same thing about every 15 to 20 starts. Since it doesn't happen that often, I figure it's one of those things that you have to wait to break in order to diagnose/fix. Or is it?

 

More than likely it's something in your primary drive area. Better to have someone check it out now before it does and damage or leaves you stranded.

 

yep, starter drive. i have a 2010 rk with 35,000 mi. its been that way a while. ill pull it off this winter. im going to local auto parts store to match it up toa toyota. ive learned they will outlast the moco ones big time. the reason i answered, i was 66 when i got the rk it was gently used with 8000 mi on it and man i know what you mean. i wished id have bought a pan head in high school so i didnt miss out on so much harley ridding. beautiful bikes, trumpet too! i also had a 79 bonneville(750) i rode for 30 years. congrats, you now have, imo, the best cruiser and runabout on the planet. tommytailspin

 

I noticed if I haven't ridden in a couple of days when I press the ignition button and the bike turns over three of four times if it doesn't start I hear this AWFUL HARD CLANK sound like metal against metal. It really sounds like something is going to break. Anyone else?

 

Yeah......compensator! See above