Starter Issues
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
Okay stro, what the heck are s+s travel limiters? I never heard of this puppy!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Basically a spacer that goes inside the tappets (lifters) that prevents them from bleeding down, thus preventing the valves from closing when they shouldn't be closing. Assuming the kickbacks are caused by lifter bleed-down, this will fix it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,653
Likes: 9,113
From: Snow Hill, NC
The MOCO hem hawed around with my rinding noise...at 42000 miles... Comp. sprocket , grounding bracket .... High Torque starter eliminated my grinding noise....As somebody said in another thread...maybe masking the true problem but the compensator was not the problem...that is why i went with the stock one...free under warranty,.... i didn;t want to pay the $125 difference.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Starter kickback leads to claticismic starter event
Like many here, my 08 Anniv Ultra occationally experienced minor kick back but only seemed to be during hot restart at the pumps etc. As time went on the kickback became more and more common until it sounded expensive and made me wonder if it would leave me on the side of the road. Took it to local dealer asking WTF? The Butterscotch Girl now has a new starter and a complete clutch basket ...sound familar?? The primary drain plug had about an inch worth of metal attached to it when they pulled it out. Basically it seems the starter clutch assy gets week and the starter shaft and gear are damaged until it craps out. I figure if it crapped once it will again so I'm scheduling to have the auto decompression kit installed in hopes it eliminates future issues.
FWIW: With only 16k and the 2yr factory warranty out, I'm thankful I added the ESP (with the 1.05% financing they gave me I put the money saved towards the insurance) when I bought it. This fix alone was $1100 in parts and $300 more in labor ...only cost me a $50 deductible. Plus I had a covered rental while it was down. I was skeptical that I would see a return on the ESP coverage but for me it paid off.
I had one dealer tell me they NEVER have to change stock starters even on 103 kits. But others say its pretty common and feel every V-twin should come with auto-decompression kits installed.
FWIW: With only 16k and the 2yr factory warranty out, I'm thankful I added the ESP (with the 1.05% financing they gave me I put the money saved towards the insurance) when I bought it. This fix alone was $1100 in parts and $300 more in labor ...only cost me a $50 deductible. Plus I had a covered rental while it was down. I was skeptical that I would see a return on the ESP coverage but for me it paid off.
I had one dealer tell me they NEVER have to change stock starters even on 103 kits. But others say its pretty common and feel every V-twin should come with auto-decompression kits installed.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
I was told by my indy that changing to a Screamin Eagle compensator will not fix the problem. He said the issues with the kick-back and starter damage are caused by engine timing.
Who knows the truth?
Who knows the truth?
Last edited by shortride; Jul 24, 2010 at 10:49 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
The early comp sprockets can be modified.Actually involves machining the sprocket adapter and the nut,taking approx .045 off the length of each.Basically squeezing the spring tighter so it resists the torque a lot longer.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 451
Likes: 3
From: Laurel,Ms USA
Mt 09 ULTRA is in the shop now with 17,800 mls for the starter kickback lower-end grinding issue on hot restart. After a week they told me they couldn't duplicate problem. Kinda funny, I paid it out for the new rear tire I had installed and wiithin 10 miles it was the same thing again. Took it back same day (two days ago) and the service manager wanted to blame the problem on me, said all he could hear was me starting and restarting the bike too many times without allowing it to rest between restarts? Needless to say I went off on him and now it's been there two more days and they haven't even looked at it again. Wondering if I need a new dealer or moco assist to get this resolved. I was assured by the service guy I talked to this afternoon that they would get my bike fixed first thing tomorrow..does tomorrow ever come in these situations?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 20
From: Southeast GA
That is what I am afraid of - no start. I don't get a crack noise. It is more like the engine doesn't start and rolls backward off of the compression. Almost like the starter doesn't have enough power to get past stock compression. After a moment, if I try again it will start. But, it always seems to struggle a bit more than I am comfortable with. I am considering replacing the battery even though my tests seem to indicate that it is ok. I just hate this kind of troubleshooting... :-(