Help needed - grinding sound on cranking.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,892
From: Oklahoma
There seems to be increasing confusion. The original question: what's making the grinding noise? Starter clutch.
Next question, implied but not asked: why did the starter clutch fail? Being slammed around by the weak compensator. There is nothing in either compensator which would make the noise he described. The weak comps just go "bang" when the starter is engaged and make a box of rocks noise at lower and mid speeds, NOT the grinding noise which started the thread.
The starter can be removed and serviced without taking off the primary cover. If you choose to replace the starter drive ONLY, the new one will likely fail in about the same number of miles as the current one. For the most trouble free future (and improved quality of riding) replace the stock compensator with the SE unit as soon as possible also. You won't be sorry.
Next question, implied but not asked: why did the starter clutch fail? Being slammed around by the weak compensator. There is nothing in either compensator which would make the noise he described. The weak comps just go "bang" when the starter is engaged and make a box of rocks noise at lower and mid speeds, NOT the grinding noise which started the thread.
The starter can be removed and serviced without taking off the primary cover. If you choose to replace the starter drive ONLY, the new one will likely fail in about the same number of miles as the current one. For the most trouble free future (and improved quality of riding) replace the stock compensator with the SE unit as soon as possible also. You won't be sorry.
Last edited by btsom; Feb 8, 2012 at 04:55 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Lifetime warranty starter clutch! Been in my bike for over 50,000 miles!
http://www.mesmotorcycle.com/street.htm
Another option:
http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1...h&hl=en&rlz=1C
http://www.mesmotorcycle.com/street.htm
Another option:
http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1...h&hl=en&rlz=1C
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: connecticut
The stock POS comp is failing or has failed. The bad comp WILL take out the starter clutch. I had the EXACT same thing happen to my bike at 19k miles. The total job, comp and starter clutch took me about 3hrs to do on my back cuz my lift was tied up. if you do just the starter clutch youre just taking care of effect not the cause. Do them both
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Tupelo, MS
Local shop finished my work. No, didn't feel like I should try it myself. Got it done for $569 total. I didn't feel this was bad with the cost of the SE Comp about $250 and the other parts for starter clutch being around $75-$100.
Main thing, I've only ridden it coming home from shop, but have not heard the horrible noise since the work. I'll know more on this as the rain is supposed to be outta here for the weekend. Riding time !
Main thing, I've only ridden it coming home from shop, but have not heard the horrible noise since the work. I'll know more on this as the rain is supposed to be outta here for the weekend. Riding time !
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 923
Likes: 2
From: Back in NEW YORK!!
Gonna hafta mark this thread, I think mine's gone too. Have the extended warrenty. How much of a hassle is it to get the dealer to fix? The bike will start but takes a few tries when it's hot.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
cause is carbon build up which raises you compression beyond what the stock starter and comepnsator can handle. compression release is the fix. replacing you conpensator, starter clutch, clutch basket , etc is a stop gap.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
I would take that with a grain of salt and on a case by case basis. I put a borascope in my cyl's recently and had minor carbon and after changing all things you stated above I have had no issues for 60+ thousand miles. But yes this is one possible cause for hard starting.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 98
From: Colorado Springs
There seems to be increasing confusion. The original question: what's making the grinding noise? Starter clutch.
Next question, implied but not asked: why did the starter clutch fail? Being slammed around by the weak compensator. There is nothing in either compensator which would make the noise he described. The weak comps just go "bang" when the starter is engaged and make a box of rocks noise at lower and mid speeds, NOT the grinding noise which started the thread.
The starter can be removed and serviced without taking off the primary cover. If you choose to replace the starter drive ONLY, the new one will likely fail in about the same number of miles as the current one. For the most trouble free future (and improved quality of riding) replace the stock compensator with the SE unit as soon as possible also. You won't be sorry.
Next question, implied but not asked: why did the starter clutch fail? Being slammed around by the weak compensator. There is nothing in either compensator which would make the noise he described. The weak comps just go "bang" when the starter is engaged and make a box of rocks noise at lower and mid speeds, NOT the grinding noise which started the thread.
The starter can be removed and serviced without taking off the primary cover. If you choose to replace the starter drive ONLY, the new one will likely fail in about the same number of miles as the current one. For the most trouble free future (and improved quality of riding) replace the stock compensator with the SE unit as soon as possible also. You won't be sorry.
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