So I pulled up to get gas a couple weeks ago, pumped the gas, hit the start switch, and a weird sound appears... sounded like the starter, but the bike started no problem.

Today I pull up to the house, shut the bike off, the garage opens, and I decide to fire her up to put it in the garage... same sound. It sounds like the starter slips just a little bit.

Did I mention this is my '09 Ultra... does this sound like the beginning of a problem or just a co-inky-dink? I have 25K miles on my bike, so is it time to start looking at warranty work?

L8Rs
Rick

 

could not hear the noise very well but comps are a common problem

 

Just swapped out my starter clutch assembly (don't have part# handy) because what might have been same problem. Starter wasn't fully seating when hot. Seems problem has gone away for $113. for assembly kit + $38. gasket.

Part#31633-07a

 

I know this sounds weird, But My starter was was making funny noises. Was going to get a new one. Before I bought a new starter, I decided to take the battery out. Charged it (Charger Showed a full charge) . Took it and had it load tested. It had the correct voltage, but did not produce enough amps to operate the starter correctly. Put a new battery in and all is well. My bike is a 08 UC, with approx. 46K.

 

A weak battery will cause the solenoid to not hold the starter drive engaged. I have had that problem as well. Did the comp change too, mostly because I thought mine was a little noisy.

 

I would put my money on the starter drive clutch. It is a sprag clutch and when they start to slip they sound like grinding gears. If that is your problem, it is the beginning and it will get more frequent. If you still have the factory compensator and get that starter bang when hitting the starter button, you are 10,000 miles over due the starter clutch problem. Mine began making noise at about 13,000 miles. I theorize that the bang when the compensator bottoms goes hard on the starter clutch and causes early failure. At 15,000 miles I went with the SE compensator and the All Ba11s starter drive and have had no problems since, just turned 45,000 miles.

There is always a slim chance the starter gear and the ring on the clutch basket are not meshing properly but removing the primary cover is required to verify the damage or "good health" of those 2 parts. If the starter gear and ring gear are undamaged, it almost has to be the starter drive sprag clutch.

 

Heat is definitely an issue as it never happened in Germany; hot and humid here in FL. I would almost say the battery too cause it's 3 years old and doesn't hold a charge much more than 20 days if it sits. This slipping sound has only happened when it is hot, when I start shortly after shutting down, so we'll give it some more time. I have the extended warranty, so it shouldn't cost anymore than $100 if it needs replacing.

 

Sounds like compression "kickback". Most likely a new, strong battery will cure the problem.

 

Check your battery cables

 

I am having the same problem with my 09 EG. Only does it when bike is hot. The starter gives off a straining + gear grinding noise, then it will finally start. I have a little over 19k on the bike which I bought new. Lately, I have been keeping the bike on a battery tender hoping it will help. It doesn't.