Starter noise
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,931
Likes: 3,564
From: backwoods
What is really cold temps? 30-40 degrees, shouldn't make a difference. On that lines, what about poorly adjsuted clutch dragging on start? I can't remember if he said he looked in primary. With 6 speeds you can change starters really easy, and not open the primary. Is everything tight? There was a guy with the old style who didn't bend the tab back on the jack shaft. 6 speeds don't have that. But pointing out weird stuff happens.
Is it mechanical noise from something not meshing, is it kickback from a week battery or weak starter clutch? Though it sounds like he has dealt with last two. I have no clue what would cause misalignment in primary. Maybe google that a bit, in free time.
Is it mechanical noise from something not meshing, is it kickback from a week battery or weak starter clutch? Though it sounds like he has dealt with last two. I have no clue what would cause misalignment in primary. Maybe google that a bit, in free time.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,931
Likes: 3,564
From: backwoods
If starting in really cold temps, try an experiment, put a heater on it, just to see. I don't ride harleys below 30 much due to by then there is salt. 4 wheelers and sleds start. But throw a heater on the 4 wheeler for 2 minutes, and you would be surprised how easier it starts.
Are your running 20w50?
Are your running 20w50?
You initial thought on the noise was that the bendix teeth were still contacting the ring gear after the engine starts and the starter button is released. I suspect that is correct, although you likely need to remove the outer primary to confirm that. Some visual, and at some point removing the clutch hub to inspect for worn or damaged parts. If you haven't already, you could drain the primary oil and check for metal fragments attached to the magnetic drain plug, which you would need to do if you decide to remove the outer cover.
Since the ring gear is attached to the clutch basket, I'd also check the hub bearing for an slack. And look closely at the inner primary behind and around the ring gear for any contact marks. If there are marks, that should serve as a hint that something is going on there. There have been some cases where the clutch hub splines have cracked and broken, allowing the assembly to move.
It is curious that the original starter doesn't make the noise, while both orthers do. No explanation for that other than tolerances or incorrect assembly.
Paul
Since the ring gear is attached to the clutch basket, I'd also check the hub bearing for an slack. And look closely at the inner primary behind and around the ring gear for any contact marks. If there are marks, that should serve as a hint that something is going on there. There have been some cases where the clutch hub splines have cracked and broken, allowing the assembly to move.
It is curious that the original starter doesn't make the noise, while both orthers do. No explanation for that other than tolerances or incorrect assembly.
Paul
Seems strange to get two bad new starters.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,931
Likes: 3,564
From: backwoods
Is the issue the cheap Chinese starters, I lost track. I would put an all ballz starter clutch in stock. But I thought you did that. If still an issue, something I'm primary is my guess.
FYI if you buy after market clutch hub or basket,I forget terminology. It will come with bearing.
FYI if you buy after market clutch hub or basket,I forget terminology. It will come with bearing.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 2,202
From: College Station, TX
That's not ideal, but not that bad. However, that is a fraction of the teeth involved.
If it were mine, I'd drain the primary oil and remove the outer cover and see how things look inside. And then check for other damage and wear marks that might give hints of what is happening.
Is there runout on the ring gear, or is the clutch hub moving for some reason?
Paul
If it were mine, I'd drain the primary oil and remove the outer cover and see how things look inside. And then check for other damage and wear marks that might give hints of what is happening.
Is there runout on the ring gear, or is the clutch hub moving for some reason?
Paul
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 2,823
From: Oklahoma
If you can't return either new starter, you might check if a new field will fit the original starter. Have you double checked the new starter part numbers to make sure they are spec'd for your bike? Hard to believe 2 different companies could mess that up, but something isn't right. Any chance your bike doesn't have the original engine? Are the new and old starters the same length, especially from the mounting boss to the far end that goes inside the primary? Sounds like even a 16th of an inch could make the difference. Do the starter gears retract into the housing just as far as the factory starter does? There is a ball bearing, I believe at the starter motor end of the starter drive. If both new starters have the same size too big a ball bearing that might cause your problem, not letting the starter gear retract as far as is needed.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
That's not ideal, but not that bad. However, that is a fraction of the teeth involved.
If it were mine, I'd drain the primary oil and remove the outer cover and see how things look inside. And then check for other damage and wear marks that might give hints of what is happening.
Is there runout on the ring gear, or is the clutch hub moving for some reason?
Paul
If it were mine, I'd drain the primary oil and remove the outer cover and see how things look inside. And then check for other damage and wear marks that might give hints of what is happening.
Is there runout on the ring gear, or is the clutch hub moving for some reason?
Paul
For the other questions about oil, the bike is storedin a heated garage and still does it. The viscosoity is the same no matter which starter I put on, I didn't change the oil lol.
If you can't return either new starter, you might check if a new field will fit the original starter. Have you double checked the new starter part numbers to make sure they are spec'd for your bike? Hard to believe 2 different companies could mess that up, but something isn't right. Any chance your bike doesn't have the original engine? Are the new and old starters the same length, especially from the mounting boss to the far end that goes inside the primary? Sounds like even a 16th of an inch could make the difference. Do the starter gears retract into the housing just as far as the factory starter does? There is a ball bearing, I believe at the starter motor end of the starter drive. If both new starters have the same size too big a ball bearing that might cause your problem, not letting the starter gear retract as far as is needed.