I have a 2010 Ultra I bought new with just shy of 41,000 miles, stage 1. This morning it started fine like usual I rode about a mile and made a stop. When I got back on and hit the starter it turned over making a clanking noise but didn't fire up. I tried 3 or 4 times with the same result, thought maybe I was stranded. I waited a minute or two and tried again this time no clanking and it fired as normal. I went for a pretty good ride and all seemed good. I might mention I experienced this same clanking at start up once before but it's been several years ago. It seemed to be a one time thing and never happened again until today. The clanking is coming from inside the engine case as it's turning over. It almost has a scraping noise along with the clanking. I would appreciate some thoughts on this, thanks.

 

My first thought would be a failing compensator in the primary.

 

Is it in the engine or the primary? If primary, I'd say compensator as stated above. If in engine, could be a piston issue like piston slap, etc.

 

Sounded like it was in the primary.

 

Sounds like the compensator just changed mine on my 2010 ultra at 41000 your gonna have to open her up and take a look also check the chain adjuster mine was worn pretty bad. If you are mechanical at all it's not a bad job it you have a service manual

 

 

Odd it is not more often. compensator maybe. also could be starter clutch

 

Either way at 41000 he needs to open it up and do an inspection could be a loose drive chain. Could also be a loose starter

 

Noises are tough over the net. Could the noise be more of a hard crack or bang? Typical of a weak compensator. Was it more of a grinding noise? That is either starter clutch or starter gear grinding against ring gear on the clutch basket. If you have the factory compensator you probably need to upgrade by now. Unfortunately, that also requires a new rotor, the only compensators available (Harley and Baker, could be more I don't know about) require the new style rotor. If it is your starter clutch, you can change that, but the factory compensator will begin destroying that one with the first start. Weak compensator and failing starter clutch begin showing problems with hot starts, such as after a quick fuel stop, then deteriorate slowly to all starts.

 

My bike did that and it was the compensator.