EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Starter/High Compression Engine Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 15, 2015 | 06:20 PM
  #1  
fredjr71@gmail.com's Avatar
fredjr71@gmail.com
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
10 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Trinidad, CO
Default Starter/High Compression Engine Question

I have a 10.5 compression evo, I replaced the starter three years ago with an Ultima 1.4w starter. The other day when I tried to start it the starter made a grinding noise. I pulled off the primary cover to take a look but I didn't find any evidence of any grinding on the starter gear. I ran the starter motor a few times with the primary cover off and the starter gear does not stay fully engaged. It pulls back back and forth while turning. Is this normal? Also, over the years the engine would kick back on the starter and clank loudly. Is this because of an under powered battery or under powered starter?
 

Last edited by fredjr71@gmail.com; Feb 15, 2015 at 06:30 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2015 | 06:56 PM
  #2  
glidein wide's Avatar
glidein wide
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
Default

What bike are we talking about?
 
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2015 | 07:06 PM
  #3  
fredjr71@gmail.com's Avatar
fredjr71@gmail.com
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
10 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Trinidad, CO
Default

1999 FLSTC, 10:1 high compression pistons, se4 cam. Mods were done at a harley dealership before I bought it.
 
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2015 | 07:36 PM
  #4  
glidein wide's Avatar
glidein wide
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
Default

Sounds like the solenoid to me,could be on the way out. Check connections also,and battery must be in top shape.
 
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2015 | 07:41 PM
  #5  
glidein wide's Avatar
glidein wide
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
Default

Someone with a knowledge superior to mine will be along shortly too get you goin.
 
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2015 | 08:01 PM
  #6  
fredjr71@gmail.com's Avatar
fredjr71@gmail.com
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
10 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Trinidad, CO
Default

I was thinking it might be a sub par battery as well. it's a newer battery but it doesn't have the most cranking amps.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2015 | 01:13 AM
  #7  
Jasper86's Avatar
Jasper86
Road Captain
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 675
Likes: 32
From: Massachusetts
Default

check battery first, then wires/connections

i had a similar issue. bad starter drive (bendix). AllBalls replaced mine under warranty.


FWIW, I'm still running my "spare" (stock) 1.2kw starter, on a 124, @ 10.8:1, with no issues.

fix that ASAP. I didnt. I thought I had a rough spot with wires/something else. ended up blowing my ring gear to pieces from the starter engaging/disengaging.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2015 | 03:13 AM
  #8  
petebucy's Avatar
petebucy
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default

High compression ratios are hard on batteries and starters. It helps if you have compression releases installed or use Easy-Start cams with a built-in compression release capability. The starter gears should stay engaged until you release the starter button.

Pete

Originally Posted by fredjr71@gmail.com
I have a 10.5 compression evo, I replaced the starter three years ago with an Ultima 1.4w starter. The other day when I tried to start it the starter made a grinding noise. I pulled off the primary cover to take a look but I didn't find any evidence of any grinding on the starter gear. I ran the starter motor a few times with the primary cover off and the starter gear does not stay fully engaged. It pulls back back and forth while turning. Is this normal? Also, over the years the engine would kick back on the starter and clank loudly. Is this because of an under powered battery or under powered starter?
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 16, 2015 | 04:49 AM
  #9  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

'Grinding' in the starter may also be the starter clutch, which is replacable.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2015 | 05:53 AM
  #10  
2007fxstc's Avatar
2007fxstc
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 324
Likes: 21
From: Oregon
Default

Get RC ' S
OR This WILL keep happening!

Period!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:42 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE