Starter problem, 103 engine, Need advice.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 24, 2009 | 11:30 PM

#11

johnharley

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 311

Likes: 0

From: South Dakota

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhud

I had a HD 103 stage II installed a few thousand miles ago. When the weather got warm I also had occasional hard starts. I read a post here suggesting to hit the starter button as soon as you turn the key; I was amazed it works every time. Try it, you may find it solves your problem too.

Thanks, I will give that a try.

May 24, 2009 | 11:40 PM

#12

johnharley

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 311

Likes: 0

From: South Dakota

Thanks for the input. My problem is not the battery. When the starter kicks out then back in it makes a pretty bad metal on metal noise. It does not have any compression release installed. I had the dealer install the Upgrade 103 kit. Does the compression change much with that? What is the going price for a Hi torque starter?

May 25, 2009 | 03:42 AM

#13

kingkingking

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 1,639

Likes: 2

From: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnharley

Good to see the stealer is giving you the right advice.

Time to find a new dealer me thinks...

May 25, 2009 | 05:54 AM

#14

EG Ultra Classic

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 501

Likes: 0

From: SW Iowa

I believe the dealer gave you the correct advice. Go with the CR's. That stock starter motor will really spin the 103" with the CR's down. One word of advice, though, when hot, always wear gloves to push down the releases, otherwise you can get a burn especially if you miss and push down on a head bolt trying to engage it. That DON"T WORK!!!!

May 25, 2009 | 05:54 AM

#15

XTrooper3936

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 1,830

Likes: 8

From: Retired and living in the mountains of NE PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnharley

The compression does go up and often enough to create issues. You have two things going on. First, just increasing the displacement alone will increase the compression because of the increased volume of the A/F mixture. The second and bigger factor is that the Screamin' Eagle head gaskets that are included in the 103 kits are thinner than the stock ones and this, of course, increases compression as well.

Regarding hi-torque starters, the Tech Cycle 1.4kW starter I bought listed for something over $500. I found it on eBay for around $330 shipped. It's the same size as the stock starter, so they're are no fitment issues. It bolted right in without a problem.

May 25, 2009 | 06:14 AM

#16

nocages4me

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 393

Likes: 0

From: Fredericksburg, Virginia

Do a search I stumbled across another thread about this but I can't seem to find it now. Long story short I had a similiar problem. It sounded like my engine was going to explode sometimes. I read on this thread that when you start the engine's with the 103 kit, that as soon as you flip the run switch pull in the clutch and hit start. It said no to wait for the fuel pump to finish because something to do with the mapping at start up was different. I have tried it and haven't had the problem since maybe 50-75 starts since I tried this. Hope it helps and good luck...

Mar 18, 2010 | 10:44 AM

#17

MC Chief4

6th Gear

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

103 Starter

I own a 2010 Ultra Limited. My bike is ewquipped with the 103 engine as standard equipment and it had the compression release installed as factory equipment. I have been an equipment mechanic for years and it appears the release is needed. My engine will nearly stop the starter right before ignition.

Mar 19, 2010 | 12:10 AM

#18

meveratt

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 394

Likes: 1

From: Kamloops, British Columbia

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhud

This was posted by another writer once, and I have found it to be absolutely true. If I let the engine light go out when doing a hot start, I get a heckuva bang from the starter. If I turn on the ignition and hit the starter right away, it fires up perfectly with no bang. I have tested this over 22,000 km, through two hot summers, and it works every time. Try it!