2009 Fatboy. Sometimes it fires right up. Sometimes there's a screeching/grinding noise and engine fails to start. Subsequent attempts sometimes go ok and engine starts, but just as often repeats the screeching noise. Does this sound like it could be the starter not engaging fully or intermittently?

 

Neighbors bike (07 Softail Custom) does the same. He has been told by an individual mechanic it likely is the compensator going bad. He has not repaired it (in progress) so I cannot say that is what is wrong. You may wish to research what effect a bad compensator has. SUP

 

Just curious , is the engine stock , or has the displacement been increased ?

 

Thanks- will do. keep me posted should your neighbor successfully fix his.

 

Stock 96 cu in. Screaming Eagle.

 

Thank you. I asked because we saw the compensator issue a bit on the big bore upgrade kits without compression release. On a stock 96. Not so much. Hard to speculate but yes the compensator would not be the worst place to start looking.

 

Subsequent cold starts have been fine. Symptoms seem to point to the compensator. Pretty much done riding until spring- lots of time to sort it out. Thanks for your input.

 

welcome to Harley starter design.
search the threads about compensators, and starter clutches.
and if you have never pulled a soft tail starter , then plan all day to do it

 

My 08 FXDF did the same thing.... it was a bad starter clutch.