If there is one ive never noticed it..

 

That's kind of interesting. May I assume you have a fairly late model with fuel injection?

Assuming so, I was under the impression the engine start-up tables (ECM program) sort of ignore the throttle position (cable or TBW) until after the motor is running for a few seconds.

FWIW, I too became tired of the dreaded clunk and upgraded to the SE compensator...completed solved my issue.

 

But what I have started doing is slightly cracking the throttle at start up. ( And there are calibrations that account for small throttle openings for startup, even though most "owners manuals" state do not touch the throttle on FI engines.) Opening the throttle only slightly does cause a little RPM flare when the engine starts, but seems to reduce the kickback that cause the clunk on start up!!! Perhaps it is the increase run RPM with the throttle slightly open that helps!
Just a thought for those that don't like the big clunk at start up!

Thanks, exactly what my mechanic told me today... the clunking sound makes me cringe!:clap:

 

Just installed the SE Compensator on mine.
Clunk on startup gone but it still doesn't sound like the older models did on start up.

Barney Biker
07 EG

 

The clunk was talked about alot when the 96" came out. You could probably search some threads from back then, not sure anything was really settled.

 

I don't have the clunk if I have the bike in neutral. Only get the clunk when the bike is cold and I have the bike in gear with the clutch pulled in, of course. I always thought this was because, when the engine was cold, the clutch was not as lubricated and when starting, it kind of "grabbed" on first ignition.

 

My dealer admited that it was the weak comp on the new bikes.
I think it also has something to do with the timing or fuel setings on start up.
My bike had a bad clunk on start up. Some don't sound as bad as others.

Barney Biker
07 EG

 

I used to have the start-up clunk on my 09 streetbob. I installed the T-max and the clunk magically disappeared. So, perhaps fuel/timing may be the culprit.

 

Tried this on my 09 deluxe. Still clunks.....

Trucky911

 

Lots of HD owners do the se comp...

I read couple yrs ago that if U have U tuner at dyno take out some timing at (0) rpm it will also take it out,,,

I had it done when I added my cams and it works...
I no longer have the clunk at start up and din't do the SE comp... and now at 28 k have not had any other issues with it...

 

Can I take out the timing on a PCV? How much? I've got a bad clunk on mu 2010.

 

Clunk

I have an 09. It clunked the very first time and EVERY time I started it! It did'nt really bother me cause I knew what it was. BUT, after 7000 miles, we were out in the hills of Missouri, it was 99 degrees on a hill in traffic, and upon taking off, the compensator was knocking like a 1" impact! It did this almost every time I took off, even riding solo and in cool weather. Took it in for waurrantee work. They put in a new comp. for free. The SE comp would be an up-charge. I told them I'll wreck 1 more before I spend the extra. If your going to make junk, I can break it under warantee. Anyway, they had to get a 2nd one because there is a spec on a measurement that they take, and mine was more than .060 under spec. The 2nd new one was right on. Got the bike back, and clunk is gone, engine is smoother now than it was with 10 miles on it. We'll see how long this one makes it.

 

Clunk

If everybody would take notice, on 2010 trike models and all 2011 touring models, they come standard with the SE compenasator. Kinda makes you wonder why now moco decided to upgrade compensator to the se one as standard equipment? Sounds like they knew there was a problem and decided to upgrade the part instead of part failure, which to me should mean a RECALL!
Just my .02

 

The clunk in my 2009 FLSTC has almost gone away - was really intense when the bike was new. Only occurs now and then - it may coincide with the engine not starting as quickly as it used to as it is much more subdued. As mentioned in this thread, the wife's Triglide makes no noise at all when starting.

 

I had a chatter from day one on my '08 Street Glide.

Like a dummy, I waited until my warranty ran out... Harley paid for the new compensator, revised starter clutch assembly & all labor, fluid and gaskets under their goodwill warranty. All I had to pay was a 100. good will charge and the difference for the SE compensator (which they later refunded because it became a standard part).

The slightest chatter is still there but the starter clunk is gone and the bike is much smoother when you transition from on the gas to off, or when you are idling along in traffic, it doesn't jerk at all now.

 

There should be no chatter from the comp. Could be the tensioner is not set correctly.
Ron

 

clunk

I just got an ultra 08 (last week) and the first time i started it I almost ****. I thought I threw a rod. :spank: But it ran ok so I continued and ignored it but the clunk comes and goes depending, who knows what!

I am somewhat relieved to know there is a fix. Sure had me wondering because my 88 did not do that.

Do you think I should get the SE comp? I did buy the 2 year extended warranty

 

I just got an ultra 08 (last week) and the first time i started it I almost ****. I thought I threw a rod. :spank: But it ran ok so I continued and ignored it but the clunk comes and goes depending, who knows what!

I am somewhat relieved to know there is a fix. Sure had me wondering because my 88 did not do that.

Do you think I should get the SE comp? I did buy the 2 year extended warranty

The SE comp will stop the bang. This is caused from cam rebound in the stock comp. The sound is from the cam bottoming out the spring pack and smashing it into the rotor like a sledge hammer. I personally hate the stock comp with a passion, but do what you feel is best.
Ron

 

clunk

is that clunk fix covered by warranty?

 

is that clunk fix covered by warranty?

Don't think so. Some have upgraded to the SE when the stocker went for a dump, so at least the labour end would be covered, but the comp itself would be out of pocket possibly with some price adjustment for the swap.
Ron

 

Clunk repercussions

What can I expect? will the comp cause any other problems when it takes a dump? What can I expect as far as; increasing noise, vibration, or other things related to the clunk dump?

 

What can I expect? will the comp cause any other problems when it takes a dump? What can I expect as far as; increasing noise, vibration, or other things related to the clunk dump?

Most likey it will be fine for now. In time you will get sick of the starting noise and upgrade eventually.
Ron

 

Take your bike in and have the comp replaced now if it's still in warranty. if the comp or the nut itself is the cause of your clunk, you do not want to advance or retard your timing to fix it. that's like putting fix-a-flat in a perfectly good tire that didn't have a leak to beign with.
If you can talk them into doing the work under warranty, pay the extra for the SE compensator and have them replace it while they're in the primary and they won't charge you any more labor. either way, I'd replace the comp with the upgraded SE or you'll wind up with the same problems again in a few thousand miles if not sooner.

 

I only notice it when I've rode long enough to get the engine good and warmed up, and shut it off, and go to start it back up, it sometimes makes that clunking sound, and that makes me cringe as well, but what I've got in the habit of doing, is just barely hit the starter switch, and just bump the engine over just a little, before I actually just hold the button down, and let it fire, always works for me.

 

I keep hearing about the pressed together crank shafts being a weak point. I replaced my stock comp for the SE at 15k miles when the dealer said all was good even though I was getting the start klunk and clatter while running at steady speed. I wasn't going to hammer my crank shaft to an early death. SE comp fixed all the noise problems. 08 Road King. So now there is a revised starter drive??? I just replaced mine with an All Balls unit.

 

Yes, when they did my SE comp, there were a ton of starter and primary parts on the work order.

 

Bought my Heritage new in 07, and it's had a bad clunk at startup since day one, though not at every start-up. Dealer replaced the starter at about 35,000 miles, told me the problem was because my Power Commander was dumping too much fuel into the cylinders and making it too hard for the starter to turn the engine over. Whatever. By 53,000 the clunking had come back, much worse, God-awful. Dealer replaced the starter again, which did nothing. Then replaced the compensator, and the problem is gone, for now. If I knew about the SE compensator being an upgrade, I would have paid the difference w/o question.

 

Bang

my dealer is giving me crap about the loud clunk on start up, they say its normal.

 

my dealer is giving me crap about the loud clunk on start up, they say its normal.

Yep same here. I just get that deer in the headlights look and them saying, wow, never heard of that before.