09 Starter Grinding
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Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 432
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From: Delray Beach, FL
09 Starter Grinding
My 09 Ultra has been having some starter grinding and kick back issues lately. Doesn't do it all the time but when it does, sounds real bad. I had the starter replaced about 8,000 miles ago with the high output unit and it's been ok until now. Also had the compensator replaced at the same time for clunking. They put the stock compensator in. I have the 103 BB stage 2 installed. Any ideas why this issue is back???
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
Most likely culprit is the POS - OEM compensator.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
Dump the stock compensator sprocket (JUNK) and put on an SE comp. No more banging and hot kick backs on start up. Only had 800 mile on my stock 2010 RKC and it was the first thing I replaced. I also did this on my 08' Sg, got the same results. Your 103" w/ SE 255 cams only makes this issue worse because of the high CCP.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
I was having a lot of kickbacks, grinding and big bang when starting. I had the same problem a year ago and they replaced the starter. They checked the compensator and said it was OK. This time I told them that if the compensator was bad, I wanted the SE comp installed. They replaced the starter clutch and installed the SE comp. This eliminated the bang, kickbacks and grinding. About a week later the bike was cranking slowly and would sometimes stop. I found the battery connections were loose and corroded. Cleaned and tightened. No more problems.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 654
Likes: 11
If you read all the posts related to starter, starter "kick back", starter problems on this forum; you will read for hours.
This has been an on going saga for for our beloved HD company for years. Why you asked? Just imagine how much money is made by these Stealerships and part changers; errrr I mean HD mechanics, through starter, clutch and compensator change outs and upgrades.
Add into that mix when the starter spline gear is rotating PRIOR to engaging the clutch basket and on every bike with this problem; they are stealing; errrr "making" hundreds of $$$ on every issue.
Starter, clutch basket and compensator will fix your problems along with about $1000.
And remember; this problem has been in this company for decades and one they chose to ignore for profit. Doesn't that make you feel good........
Ride In Peace
This has been an on going saga for for our beloved HD company for years. Why you asked? Just imagine how much money is made by these Stealerships and part changers; errrr I mean HD mechanics, through starter, clutch and compensator change outs and upgrades.
Add into that mix when the starter spline gear is rotating PRIOR to engaging the clutch basket and on every bike with this problem; they are stealing; errrr "making" hundreds of $$$ on every issue.
Starter, clutch basket and compensator will fix your problems along with about $1000.
And remember; this problem has been in this company for decades and one they chose to ignore for profit. Doesn't that make you feel good........
Ride In Peace
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, Texas
Hope you installed compression release valves on the 103 build, if not that could be whats causing the starter to fail.
My 09 Ultra has been having some starter grinding and kick back issues lately. Doesn't do it all the time but when it does, sounds real bad. I had the starter replaced about 8,000 miles ago with the high output unit and it's been ok until now. Also had the compensator replaced at the same time for clunking. They put the stock compensator in. I have the 103 BB stage 2 installed. Any ideas why this issue is back???
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
The compensator problem exist on bikes from 07'-10'. Prior to this they had different comp's and now (starting in 11') they put the SE comp on all 103" motors. The bad stock comps with the banging and kick back on starts, creates the problem on the starter gear and ring gear of the clutch basket. The back and forth motion during kickback will destroy these gears leading one to believe they have a starter problem. This is my second bike that I have put the SE comp on (1st thing I changed) and have never had to replace / repair any starter gear or ring gear. The OP as has been mentioned, would be wise to put compression releases on his motor, if he has done so already.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 432
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From: Delray Beach, FL
Update
I took the bike to the dealer and they said the starter and compensator were fine I just need to spend about 900.00 for parts and labor to add comp releases to the heads. They also informed me that the SE compensator will do nothing for starting kickback at all. Well after reading all the information on this site I decieded to go against what they said and had the SE compensator installed anyway. After all the 103" motors they sell in the new bikes don't have comp releases....
The difference with the new SE Compensator is amazing! No more kick back or banging and clunking when starting and just a much smoother running bike when shifting up or down. I can say it was worth every penny spent and I highly recommend it.
The difference with the new SE Compensator is amazing! No more kick back or banging and clunking when starting and just a much smoother running bike when shifting up or down. I can say it was worth every penny spent and I highly recommend it.
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