hmm had a 2011 FLHTK 103 with ACR's, I didn't know that the other 103's didn't have (?), my parts book shows acrs for all the 2011 103 motors


and as the 103 became std in 2012 they all had acr's


Mike

 

Thanks Bingee but it was the compensator. I replaced it this winter and been running it pretty hard this spring with no issues

 

Kite, I just went through this. The bike starts great cold but when hot, WOW that sound about kills ya!!!! It's the starter drive, the piece that pops out of your starter. The 2007 / 2008 had issues with this kind of thing.
The big thing is if your motor has had any work done to it. Have you or other owners bumped it to the 103 / 106, or even more? After fixing the starter drive you might also want to look into a decompression release. The current 103 have a decompression built into em so they don't burn up the starter drives.

Hope this helps, parts are only $100.

 

The first hint that the compensator is weak is the hard bang or crack when hitting the starter. That is the compensator going full travel and slamming into the stops. That happening over and over will destroy the starter drive, actually the sprag clutch in the starter drive. The sprag clutch slipping is most likely the grinding sound you are hearing. I have had an Allballs starter drive for over 4 years and 47,000 miles (installed at the same time as the SE compensator) and have had flawless operation since the change. 2008 Road King, stock 96 now with over 62,000 miles.

 

Guess I should have read the WHOLE thread!!! Glad you were able to fix it.

 

True.The 2011's with the optional factory 103's did have ACR's installed.