I have an 09 road king and every now and then when I try to start it when it's warm it has a horrible almost grinding sound so I stop and try again then it starts, has anyone had these issues and or know what the problem may be 

Thanks 

craig 

Had similar on my 2009 Electra Glide. It could be the Starter Clutch of the Starter. As you have no banging noise , well discount a Compensator problem for now ! All these components are prone to breakdown over time, but because you have reasonably late model bike lets start with the basics. It sounds like your solenoid is ok. Check and tighten positive cable from battery to starter. Check and tighten ground cable from battery to frame. This cable is a prick to get to !! Check and tighten the starter mounting bolts. These 2 bolts are what grounds the Starter. A healthy battery is very important for these engines. If its the original battery I would replace it.
I went through the above , (and replaced the battery), 12 months ago , and solved the problem. A weak battery over time can be the cause of the starter clutch and compensators to ware out before there time !!! My money is on the battery !!!! Google , " Harley starter grinding noise" , and you should get photos and videos of what these parts look like and do . Good luck !!!

Thank you I will check it out 

The noise is like the starter motor is chattering on the fly wheel with a bit of screeching thrown in, that is what it sounds like not necessarily what it's doing 

Well Craig,  any updates to your problem ????     The weathers been to good to have your King sulking in the garage !!!!!

Yes, my friend has the same bike as me and his was doing the same thing but not as often but his gave way completely last week.
His problem was the starter clutch in the starter which is a relatively easy job to replace although he payed for it to be repaired
The genuine part is $140 from HD but when I typed the problem into google it seems that it will happen again with the genuine part
My friends one was replaced with a hitachi part
My bike does it intermittently which allows me to still ride it which I have been doing, I will be replacing the part very soon though

Mate , if you hav'nt  already replaced the original battery , (going on five years) I would.    If that does'nt stop the grinding noise, then go down the road of replacing the starter clutch , or replace the starter with a cheaper non harley, higher kw starter .   I may have been lucky that I replaced the battery before any fatal damage was done to the starter clutch.   But they are components that can wear before they should, you just keep tabs on them.    With your mates bike , did the starter clutch completly fail, ie,  grind away and not start the bike at all ???     Cheers .   

Yes my mates starter just spun without engaging so he had to clutch it to get it going
I will look at replacing the battery as well

Hello Craig, I had the same issue with my 09 Road King Classic last year... from my personal experience, I researched online via USA HD sites and talked to the HD service department for their thoughts with this issue. I originally needed to replace my stator as this was shorted and figured while I was in there... I could upgrade the comp sprocket. I determined that the cause to this problem was the stock HD compensator sprocket loosing tension or spring on the spring fixture that is attached to the outer edge of the rotor.
 
During my inspection on my bike... the battery was new and fully charged, the starter pinion gear/jackshaft and fly wheel were both in good condition... so that also led me to believe that it was the stock compensator sprocket. I purchased a SE compensator sprocket and installed it myself and although you need the right tools to do the task i.e. a decent torque wrench and primary drive locking tool (make your own), it was fairly easy... just make sure you have the proper service manual and understand the process. If you choose to go the SE route... just remember as per the instructions for the SE comp installation... use the NEW comp sprocket bolt as it comes with the kit. The difference is with the design of the sprocket and the NEW rotor that comes with it does not have the lip and spring welded to the outside of the rotor.

I am not a qualified mechanic and this information is only provided for consideration, if you are unsure.... get an authorised mechanic to do the work for you.

Good luck!

Ads