Basic question and apologies in advance if this has been asked before; I did a search and couldn't find anything that exactly matches my question.

2002 FXST Custom, 95" SE, starter won’t engage fully, loud clacking sound. Seems like it will start to catch but it never does. Terrible metal on metal noise...

I replaced the battery less than a year ago. My battery tender shows a full charge. Lights, everything work okay. Haven't taken it out and checked the impedance of it or otherwise (load test, etc.) but I'm thinking the battery has prematurely failed or it is the starter relay. Hopefully not the compensator or any of the other issues I read about while searching that require pulling the starter, solenoid, etc.

Tips, suggestions appreciated.

 

Sounds like you starter clutch has given up the ghost...

 

Check your starter bolts. The 2007's had a tech bulletin about loose bolts. Your starter may have moved out of position. Just a thought. Good luck!

 

My thoughts....exactly

CC

 

One your starter drive gears might have some broken teeth on it

 

It appears to be a busted starter drive gear, probably the result of cranking the high compression in my 95" engine.

Spoke to my independant and on his advice, ordered a Compu-Fire 1084 Gear Set which will be installed Thursday. Should take care of it, assuming the starter motor is in good shape. Will follow up to close out this thread when it is all sorted out.