I have never been more confused in all my life. I have this noise at startup that is simply horrible. Not to mention embarrassing when even the soccer mom turns around and can tell something is wrong with my bike.

I have a 2009 fxstb night train. I have read at least 500 posts that narrow the issue down to a junk OEM compensator (that should be replaced with an SE Compensator), a new starter, or a new starter clutch. I have read that any combination of these solves that problem and does not solve the problem. And if I read one more post that says, "just search the forum and you find all your solutions" I'm going to puke. Gentlemen, I have searched... and searched. I've watched over 50 youtube videos of every type of creek, grone, scratch a HD makes upon startup.

I started this post as a last ditch effort to find answers before I drop $200 on a compensator, $200 starter, and $100 starter clutch. It has turned into a bit of a rant, so I apologize for that.

Motorcycles are not an exact science. Once you start f'ing with the engine who knows what will break next. I also realize no two bikes are the same. Really?

Now that I am done with my rant I will pick out the least expensive part and start wrenching on my awesome machine. After all, I enjoy tinkering about as much as I enjoy riding. What I don't enjoy is spending hours on the computer trying to figure out my problem.

Thanks to all the great posts and funny comments. That makes searching for a solution bearable.

If none of these parts fix my bike... the next soccer mom that looks at me weird when my bike grinds and chatters on startup had better be really hot and wearing short shorts!

 

I hope it is not the compensator. They are on back-order until June 14.

 

Pass on the SE compensator which is also POS. The latest H-D upgrade kit with the glue on tray seems to be working but the aftermarket comes to the rescue again with the Compensaver. A bit pricey but you shouldn't have to replace the starter and starter clutch; just the compansator.

http://www.compensaver.com/

 

Why not just open it up and take a look? Doesn't cost anything.

 

Don`t replace the starter. Starter motors are often condemned, but seldom guilty ("I was framed").

 

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I have a video to demonstrate the issue. Hopefully this helps others too.

 

Show us what you see....

 

From the research I have done it seems that many people arent actually finding visual signs of wear on the compensator. But I can tear this thing open and throw up some pictures.

I am heading out of town for a few days, so I will check back when I tear into the bike.

Thanks for the help.

 

If the comp is the culprit then there will be signs of serious wear w/o a doubt.

 

Well if you see a beautiful compensating sprocket you can move on. I have seen a lot of pics showing brown/rust colored fretting and the spokes of the compensating sprocket chewed up - if you see this, then maybe you are on the road to recovery.