Grinding noise on hot start
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,007
Likes: 5,532
From: Wilkes Co.- N.C.
Ok, so I suppose the battery is easy enough to check and/or replace (tho I have my doubts that this is the problem, if for no other reason than that its the least expensive.)
After the battery is replaced, how do you decide what to replace. Personally the starter clutch seems to make the most sense.
I will say, however, that is bike does hesitate when he starts it - turns once, quick pause, then rolls over and starts. Is this a battery issue or a starter clutch issue?
After the battery is replaced, how do you decide what to replace. Personally the starter clutch seems to make the most sense.
I will say, however, that is bike does hesitate when he starts it - turns once, quick pause, then rolls over and starts. Is this a battery issue or a starter clutch issue?
In your op you said hot starts and grinding noise.....to me, that's comp......
What you described in the above post could be weak starter/batt......or dirty connections......bad brushes.....or windings in starter motor......etc....
In fixing mine, I checked the starter out and thought it was ok.....batt was new.....I gave the batt some time on the charger just to be sure, rode it till hot, went home and tried starting it while hot.....got the grinding/bang noise on first try, tried again and it started......but as the comp got worse it would take two or three tries to get it running....never had a problem on cold starts.....
To add, I'm far from a pro mechanic......shade tree at best...lol...
Last edited by bentryder; Sep 6, 2015 at 08:22 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Ok, so I suppose the battery is easy enough to check and/or replace (tho I have my doubts that this is the problem, if for no other reason than that its the least expensive.)
After the battery is replaced, how do you decide what to replace. Personally the starter clutch seems to make the most sense.
I will say, however, that is bike does hesitate when he starts it - turns once, quick pause, then rolls over and starts. Is this a battery issue or a starter clutch issue?
After the battery is replaced, how do you decide what to replace. Personally the starter clutch seems to make the most sense.
I will say, however, that is bike does hesitate when he starts it - turns once, quick pause, then rolls over and starts. Is this a battery issue or a starter clutch issue?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 28
From: Bothell, WA
I had the same issue and had the comp replaced and the issue continued. Had the dealer look at my map and the dealer that did my dyno forgot to turn ON the ACRs. Once turned on the hard start went away. If you have had a tune, check your ACRs.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,623
Likes: 6,441
From: Honah Lee
Folks - a friend of mine has a 2010 Ultra. Often - but not always - when he tries to start the bike when its hot, there's a grinding noise and he has to make a 2nd attempt to start, which usually works.
I'm thinking starter and/or starter clutch.
Agree? Disagree? TIA for any help on this...
I'm thinking starter and/or starter clutch.
Agree? Disagree? TIA for any help on this...
This statement only applies if he is truly holding the start button down. If he is letting up because of a little noise, then he need to try holding it down till the motor is running...just a fraction of a second longer then you do a 4,6 or 8 cylinder since this 2 cylinder long stroke motor requires that.
If the compensator is weak enough to be the problem, it would bang every gear change and when you come off the throttle hard. Compensators surfaces get rough and cause annoying noises at idle but rarely get weak enough to bang while starting or running unless you hot rod it. Then even a brad new one will bang and that is normal. After all, they are to take the unevenness out of the v-twin. If they were rock hard, they could not do their job.
The clutch on the starter is a sprag over run clutch. It does not get weak. The drive pins are always engaged and locked. However if you actually leave the starter button down too long after the motor starts, it spins faster than the reduction gear and runs the pins up the ramp and the starter gear freewheels with a sizzle hum.
Pull the battery to ensure connections are good. Charge it good a full 2 days with the maintenance charger to desulfate it and get it checked on a reliable meter.
Bet his problem goes away. If it's the original battery, I would replace it. (and ignore what they say and put the maintenance charger on it for two full days) However, all Harley will occasionally bang, and grunt once in a while. Depend on where the cylinder stopped and a little fuel dribble getting into cylinder...especially with tuners.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 11:11 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 228
From: Garland, TX
Same here. Had this happen just a few weeks ago. Took it to the dealer since I have an extended warranty. They replaced the compensator and no more issues so far.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
"10 RK and the same problem when it was two years old. Repalced the comp and starter drive and still had the problem. Replaced the battery and all is well. I can still get the hard clunk sometimes if I start in gear when the engine is hot.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
When mine started doing that, I thought starter too, I had 55K miles, and it was an 07. Dealer's told me compensator, also told me there was really no way to tell if it was a starter until you tear into it, and a comp was much more likely.
It was the comp.
I had identical symptoms.
It was the comp.
I had identical symptoms.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 353
From: Ohio
You have a common problem. One fix I know works is to install compression releases either manual ones or the ACR's. 2010's didn't have them.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 303
Likes: 21
From: Fort St.John, BC
My bike was doing the exact same thing. It sounded terrible when hot starting. I assumed starter clutch,so I replaced mine and it still made the noise. Upgraded/replaced my compensator and the problem is fixed.
If his bike still has the original compensator, it's going to need to be replaced regardless.
If his bike still has the original compensator, it's going to need to be replaced regardless.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,860
From: Western South Dakota
I replaced both of mine. starter clutch and comp.
Went with the Baker first, then added the starter clutch.
I probably should have done it the other way around, but beings how I have an 09 w/the original comp. I figured it would be just a matter of time anyway, and Baker was out here for the rally, so I had them do it.
Then still had the noise so replaced the starter clutch.
Went with the Baker first, then added the starter clutch.
I probably should have done it the other way around, but beings how I have an 09 w/the original comp. I figured it would be just a matter of time anyway, and Baker was out here for the rally, so I had them do it.
Then still had the noise so replaced the starter clutch.