Noise from starter area when starting
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
This sounds like the voltage regulator. A 12 Volt battery should jump to 14 volts when the motor is running and 12 when the motor is shut off. The charging system sounds suspect as the voltage of your battery is at 12 volts before the electronic systems are used with the motor running. Not sure but I think at least 13.8 volts should be read with a digital multi-meter acrocss the battery with engine running.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
It usually makes the noise first start of the day or after it sits for a while. Hot starts are usually good.
Charging system is fine, at idle I'm at 13.9-14.1V. I borrowed a buddies known good battery and the noise is still there. When I hit the start button it engages for a second, then I get a really loud "clanking" noise, it stops cranking then engages again and may or may not turn over until it starts. Sometimes it will make the noise again, stop and re-engage. I'm not sure where to go now. New Hi-torq starter, battery and jack shaft???
Charging system is fine, at idle I'm at 13.9-14.1V. I borrowed a buddies known good battery and the noise is still there. When I hit the start button it engages for a second, then I get a really loud "clanking" noise, it stops cranking then engages again and may or may not turn over until it starts. Sometimes it will make the noise again, stop and re-engage. I'm not sure where to go now. New Hi-torq starter, battery and jack shaft???
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 4
From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
My BIL had the same problem with his 116 ci in his Dyna.
Originally he replaced the starter with (??? ) some hi torque brand and found it to be junk. He cmm'd the starter and the hi-torqe, hi dollar starter armature was off center. JUNK is what it was. At that point that starter took out the ring gear.
We changed the starter gear and ring gear to gain starter torque, then added a Big Bore battery and the problem went away. He's been riding it now for 4 years. He kept the stock starter in place.
Originally he replaced the starter with (??? ) some hi torque brand and found it to be junk. He cmm'd the starter and the hi-torqe, hi dollar starter armature was off center. JUNK is what it was. At that point that starter took out the ring gear.
We changed the starter gear and ring gear to gain starter torque, then added a Big Bore battery and the problem went away. He's been riding it now for 4 years. He kept the stock starter in place.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
My BIL had the same problem with his 116 ci in his Dyna.
Originally he replaced the starter with (??? ) some hi torque brand and found it to be junk. He cmm'd the starter and the hi-torqe, hi dollar starter armature was off center. JUNK is what it was. At that point that starter took out the ring gear.
We changed the starter gear and ring gear to gain starter torque, then added a Big Bore battery and the problem went away. He's been riding it now for 4 years. He kept the stock starter in place.
Originally he replaced the starter with (??? ) some hi torque brand and found it to be junk. He cmm'd the starter and the hi-torqe, hi dollar starter armature was off center. JUNK is what it was. At that point that starter took out the ring gear.
We changed the starter gear and ring gear to gain starter torque, then added a Big Bore battery and the problem went away. He's been riding it now for 4 years. He kept the stock starter in place.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
I had this problem on my '89 EVO and my fix may not be what you are looking for. Basically I took the end off the starter solenoid, drilled a hole through the center, installed a shoulder bolt and spring, then used the sholder bolt to manually engage the starter. Pushing in the solenoid plunger by hand does not allow the solenoid to back out and keeps the starter engaged. You can buy this through J&P for a $few. You can try this bysimply pulling the cover off the end of the starter and push the solenoid plunger in with a tool, maybe a piece of dowel rod. Anyway if it works, easy to install the J&P plunger or make your own.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
Ok, so I pulled the trigger and bought a 1.8kW starter and holy s##t! The bike has NEVER started so easy. No noises, no nothing..
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