I generally always start my bike in neutral but today for some reason I knowingly started it in first gear with the clutch lever pulled in, (clutch disengaged.) However, when I hit the starter button the bike lunged forward? How does this happen if the clutch lever is in and the engine and transmission are not engaged together? Did this stress my starter motor? While I am not new to motorcycling I am new to HD so pardon my ignorance!

 

Yes it does put more drag on your starter, because you still have a little friction from the clutch.

 

 

Pretty typical of Harley's, or any wet clutch, bike. Especially when the trans fluid is cold. The fluid maintains some contact between clutch plates until it warms up. So when you start the bike when it's cold it will tend to lurch forward a bit. You'll notice that it doesn't do it after it's warmed up. At least it shouldn't.

I always start my bike with the clutch pulled in, bike in neutral, and the front brake applied. Especially when the bike is cold. 'Cold' is a point of reference. Meaning that that the bike hasn't been running for a couple of hours, not that it's 20* degrees.

 

It is just how a wet clutch works. Just because you released the pressure that closes the plates. The oil keeps them together until a outside force spins them apart. If the bike has been sitting overnight, they can really be stuck together.

 

I guess the short answer here is start it in neutral.

 

The short answer would be to hold the front brake when you start it.

The fluid will still have a suction affect on the clutch plates with the bike in neutral, especially when the fluid is cold.

 

Often wondered this my self...

 

sure, but in neutral the energy can't get through the trans to the output shaft