My starter makes a loud clacking sound the first time you try to start it every time. The bike has all the upgrades as far as new heads and ACR. any one have a fix? Thanks Ben

 

Check your battery connections which may be causing loos of cranking power to the starter motor. The following is a tech tip for 2007 models which may be applicable to what you're experiencing. I know just what you want to hear; it's "normal"! LOL Still under warranty if you feel the noise is not as described below:

Tech Tip 060: Primary Drive / Starter Noise Complaints
Several dealers and customers have commented about a “clunking” noise coming from the primary housing during start up. Most dealers suspect a loose compensator because the noise seems to come from the front of the housing. Customers tend to associate it with a starter issue like improper starter drive engagement into the clutch’s ring gear. In fact the condition they are noticing is what is referred to as “Starter Knock”. This is a normal sound and condition for all 2007 Twin Cam models. Changes in the primary drive system increased the diameter and inertial effects of the rotating components (clutch and sprocket assembly, ring gear, and engine sprocket). Also, the engine control system is calibrated to start the engine as quickly as possible (short crank to run times) and to run up to the predetermined engine idle speed as quickly as possible to provide very positive starting. Because the engine fires and then runs up to speed very quickly, there is a large torque input and instantaneous speed differential between the engine and spring loaded compensator mounted between the engine and the driveline. The compensator is there to dampen the high torque spikes inherent in a large displacement V-Twin. Because of the increased inertia in the rotating components in the driveline, their rotational
speed cannot increase as fast as the engine, so the springs in the compensator momentarily bottom and results in the sound that you hear. The same sound exists in the 2006 Dyna models, but to a lesser extent. The increase in displacement to 1584cc increased the torque spike and speed differential in the 2007’s and causes the sound to be more noticeable. There is no damage associated with the compensator bottoming.
Identifying characteristics of this condition:
1. It may be intermittent, as it is dependant on the start up conditions and how quickly the ignition and engine RPM occurs.
2. It will be a single event. Once the starter is disengaged or the compensator is loaded the sound will stop, unlike a loose sprocket assembly.
3. The condition may be more noticeable on Touring models due to the shorter primary drive (shaft center to center distance) and associated shorter chain run. The extra body parts like fairings and saddlebags also tend to reflect powertrain sounds upward, towards your ears.

 

Thanks, That was very good information. I noticed that my compensator was much looser and made more noise after the bike was on the dino for race tuner. I think they wore it out with the constant on and off accelerat and decellerate while tuning the race tuner. The clack is loud but it only happens the first time I hit the starter. If I hirt it then let off and hit it again the sound dose not occur the second time and the bike starts right up. Thanks again, I'll keep an ear on it. Ben

 

Yopur problem may be in your tune,take it back and let your tuner know.HD has a new much beefier SE Comp sprocket out now that should also help startup issues.