I have an 09 Road King Classic with just a tick under 40K on the clock. I was having problems with the "hot start" compensator issue a while back so last year I put the Screamin Eagle compensator in the bike. That helped for a while but recently I have gotten an intermittent horrible noise when I hot start it. Its a loud bang followed by some grinding noise. It sounds like its coming form the starter and I only get this noise when the bike is hot. Like when I stop for gas and go to restart, it does it. If I let the bike sit, even for 5 or 10 minutes to cool a little it doesn't do it. I thought maybe a tooth was broke off inside the starter housing but a buddy told me it might just need a new battery. As in the battery is too weak to turn it over, but I don't see how that would cause the loud noises I sometimes hear.
The battery is pretty old so I use a tender on it every day but even still it takes a second to start when I hit the button. I hold the starter button and theres a half second delay before the motor turns over. When it does turn over it is slow and labored.
What do you guys think is going on?

 

My vote is for the battery. It's the first thing to eliminate. I guess you'd rather get a new one than a new starter anyway. So get it charged up and load test it.

 

Battery....

 

I get the same thing on my 1993 Heritage. I don't know what causes it but here's what I've found seems to prevent it.

What I learned to do is after fueling up or whatever reason made me stop, I give the the starter button a quick bump then press it to start. That quick bump seems to eliminate the scream and grind. Your results may vary but give it a try.

 

Your starter clutch (bendix) is bad.

 

I was going to say compensator until you told me that you already replaced it with the SE version, which IIRC came standard starting with 2011. I had similar noises on my 2010 Road King, went with the SE compensator and problem solved. So, unless you compensator went bad, which hasn't been a reported problem with the SE ones, it's time to start eliminating other variables.

Hooking up a strong battery that gives plenty of voltage should be easy - even if you have to rig up some temporary cables in line.

How long ago did you replace the compensator? How did the starter gear look?

 

This is most likely the problem. I replaced the one on my RK earlier this Spring, was making noises like described. Replaced it with All ***** and all is good.

 

I'd be checking that comp. again.

 

Thanks, I will give this a try as a band aid, but I will still try to figure it out and fix it. Otherwise its going to leave me sitting somewhere someday at the worst possible time. That's usually how that **** goes right?

This was my first thoughts as well.

The comp was replaced about a year and a half ago.

I will likely go the same route, and probably swap the battery as well. Its time anyway the battery is 7 or 8 years old.

I really don't think its the comp. I remember the sound the comp made and this is different. Its more of a grinding noise.

 

The battery is old (how old) so I'd start there as well. How long has it been since you checked the battery cables? Tight, clean on both ends? That would be my first check (cables) then the battery anyway if you haven't already.