starts find when cold...... when hot hesitates ...turns slow ..makes big clunk and stops turning over.... hit starter again...may do same thing time or two or start right up!!!!

thought might be weak battery...4 yrs old...replaced battery...same issue..
never a problem when cold start....

anyone had this issue?

 

Yeah. Could be a bad starter clutch. Could be a bad starter. Could be a bad ground connection. Or some combination of the above. Has the engine been modified at all?

 

To be honest, it sounds like a ground problem. I have had it happen to me on my '86, same exact symtoms. Check and clean ALL the grounds, from battery to starter to frame. If you have a meter it would help a lot.

 

yup, pull and clean cable connections.

First pull the -

then pull the +, clean both ends ( although the battery end may be clean from the new battery install).

look at the cables for "powder" forming inside the insulation ( tap the cable on a hard surface)- if so, replace.

most electrical problems are poor connection, just loosening, cleaning and reattaching is the first action.

When you reattach the cables, + first, then - ( that way you get no sparks if your wrench hits the frame).

Mike

 

The clunk noise could also be a loose compensator sprocket. A buddy of mine has an 09 and he replaced the starter twice then he replaced the compensator sprocket and the everything has been fine ever since.

 

engine has not been modified.....i stopped by harley shop on way home...he said sounds like compensator....they said covered under extended warranty.....

your friend that compensator replaced.... was that with stock one or SE version ? he said Se version is about $200 more and more durable..... was wondering if worth extra money or new stock one would do the trick..

 

Go with the SE.
That's what they are putting in as standard in the new touring bikes.
My 2011 came with the SE and I have had no issues.

 

My '08 RG had the same exact issues. Replaced the stock compensator with a SE version, problem solved. Do a search on this or other HD sites, you will get a lot of the same symptoms/solutions. Ride safe.

 

Go with the SE. I have it in my 2011 and there is no bang like I was getting on my 2007. Lots of information on this if you search as others have changed to the SE and are happy with the results.

 

I went through 2 starters. Bike had same symptoms as yours. Hot starts it would bang and grind. It would lock up the starter. Cold starts were perfect. First time the dealership replaced the starter. Said comp was in spec. Second time they replaced the starter and installed an SE Compensator. I paid the difference between stock and SE.

It'll still lock up the starter every once in a great while on a hot start but I don't get the banging and grinding. Just let off the starter button and give it a few seconds and hit it again. Starts right up. I'm very satisfied with the SE Comp.