The comp is the bang. The starter clutch is a grind while trying to start and most prevalent wben hot.

 

All of this is a known problem and harley wont really do anything about it unless its under warranty, and they still wont admit theres a problem with it. Ive got the same problem and ordered starter clutch and se compensator about a month ago. Dealer just called me today to let me know the comp was finally in. You can order a complete motor from them and have it in 3 days for christ sake but the compensator took a month yet they will still tell you there isnt a problem

 

I have a 2011 FLHR with factory 103, auto decompression valves and SE compensator fitted as standard. I have experienced the same noise in the video.

This has me concerned - do I have a faulty Starter Clutch or a faulty SE compensator? Or is it in fact something else?

Will be taking my bike to the dealer to at least make them aware of the issue.

 

Mine made the same noise and actually got worse until it wouldn't start. Replaced the starter with the heavy duty 1.4kw and presto, the noise is gone. I say it is the starter clutch slipping that is causing the banging on start up, not the compensator.

 

I thought they went with the SE Comp from 2010 on so why is the OPs acting up? Or was it 2011? If it was me....the Comp would be replaced...it seems aside from having to shave off the edge of the primary to get the SE in that its pretty simple to do it yourself?

 

It happened when Harley introduced the longer stroke 96" motor. S/E compensators and now the compression releases on the new models take care of most of the symptoms but not the root cause. ( My 12 year old 95" (short stroke) motor still runs the original comp and starter and at 98,000 miles still starts easily, as an example.)

So its very 'normal' on the newer bikes, unfortunately.

 

2011 and up for SE comp.

 

Very interesting since mine did it for the first time last night leaving work. It was about 37 degrees. I had backed in in between two cars and the slope was about 20 degrees and the rear tire was hard against the curb. Came out and in process of buttoning up for my 10 miles at 65 and about have way thru the bungee cord figured I would start it since is was pretty cold. Standing beside it flipped switch and using right foot flipped it in neutral. Surprised it jumped right in since sometimes I have to bump it off curb so it will drop out of gear to get neutral light. Hit starter and it caught quickly and then bang (I mean a hard metallic bang). Startling. It even made a slight puff of smoke out the screaming eagle open filter. I think it was the transmission. I do not believe it could have been starter hanging. However quite often I get a backfire bang on start up in exhaust. Maybe I got it in intake this time and it kicked engine and that was the compensator. Mine is stock and not broken (just went thru primary) but I can dog the bike hard and speed shift it and can make compensator clack. This time I hope that bang was compensator. Chips there are better then chips in transmission.

 

I had the compensator bang at engine start when I bought my used bike (37,500mi.). Within 3000 miles I was getting the grind when the engine was turning over that sounded like the starter pinion was eating the ring gear. This "WILL" make you let off of the starter button the first time you hear it. Wednesday I pulled the starter and disassembled it. Everything looked real good inside. Armature had minimal wear at the brushes, gears and bearings were all good, pinion and ring gear looked fine. I could not reverse the starter clutch in a vise with a 15" pipe wrench. You are not supposed to be able to reverse it but this is what is happening when you get the grind. I replaced the clutch with an All ***** clutch and put the starter back in. The grind and the bang are gone and I have had at least 30 starts. Cost was $71.50 out the door for parts and it took 2 hrs. Starter easily came right out the right side. Follow the SM and don't take the field coil apart. The screws on the end cap of the field coil are a bitch and HD doesn't sell them any more. They are M4 x 0.7 x 12mm
Not going to replace the $240 compensator if the problem does not return.
More than likely your starter clutch cannot be recovered so when you replace it be sure and disassemble all of your grounds and clean them and re torque.
If you are still under warranty make the dealer fix it. It will probably fail again if they won't put an All ***** in. I called All ***** and the 2110-0319 in the Drag Specialties catalog is All *****.
Mine would only grind about every fourth or fifth hot start and almost never when I wanted someone to listen to it but in the last week it got more frequent until I was concerned I would have to push start the beast one day.
Going to the dealer is some scary chit. I took mine in for a radio reflash the other day and they got right on it. I went out and stood in the door and the tech had my left saddle bag out and the left side cover off. My ALDL (where you connect to flash the ECM is on the right side of the bike. @##%$&&^*(@XX

Good Luck

 

I'm glad you posted a video but the infamous Comp sound is not distinct enough to know exactly what the dreaded sound is like....I wish it were cuz I'd like to be able to save the video for future reff.