2009 '96 : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

fairlydangerous · 08-13-2009, 09:08 PM

Evertime I start the bike I hear this knock or "bang" right as it starts. My brother's 2008 does the same thing. Sounds like piston is hitting the valve or something like that. What's up? I know it's hard to diagnos from that description but I think it must be something normal but just not sure.

Hillside · 08-14-2009, 05:37 AM

It is the starter doing that.

Coolmaker · 08-14-2009, 07:32 AM

The compensator will do that too, that is why they came out with an SE compensator for them.

BigDaveFL · 08-16-2009, 02:24 AM

Picked up new FLSTC and does the same thing, first time was just about to roll out of the dealership with two mechanics standing right there both said it was a normal sound. still bugs me but getting used to it

trucky911 · 08-16-2009, 08:47 AM

My wife's 09 deluxe does the same thing. Bugs me too. She doesn't know the difference so it doesn't matter to her.....

BILLLLIB · 08-16-2009, 08:54 AM

My 09 Electra Glide does the same thing. That sound and the banging noise when I put it into 1st gear. The Harley techs said BOTH are normal. This is my 1st HD, had BMW's for the last 25 years. I guess I will get used to the agricultural sound this bike makes. Oh yea, my wife loves this bike.

rbabos · 08-16-2009, 08:59 AM

It's caused from the compensator rebounding on the cam when the engine starts. The sound you hear is the cam smashing the spring pack into the rotor, like a sledge hammer. I believe the designer of this part now works at McDonalds flipping burgers. The ramps are shallow and the spring pack weak allowing this to happen. To stop this unruley behaviour remove stock comp and fling the fker down the street and into the ditch where it belongs. Install new SE Big Twin compensator and see improvement in starting and drive train sounds.
Ron

rob71458 · 08-16-2009, 10:32 AM

I found that compression releases help eliminate the problem as well. I had the SE comp. in my 120 and when I felt the loss of throttle response from the extra weight of that damn thing I took it out and sold it. I get no banging at all and the bike perfoms better with the stock comp.

fairlydangerous · 08-20-2009, 03:52 PM

Yep, my 2009 SG does it too. I guess it's normal but probably not real good.

vindex1963 · 08-20-2009, 04:49 PM

So does mine.

Eleft36 · 08-20-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindex1963

So does mine.

Mine doesn't

mgb939 · 08-20-2009, 10:55 PM

Ditto on mine.

09dynagld · 08-21-2009, 08:12 PM

yeah my 09 stock superglide makes that banging sound when starting . but since i got a stage 1 download it seems to be much better.also not as much surging and somewhat cooler running.

sag57 · 08-21-2009, 10:27 PM

Hello so l'am not losing the plot mines an april 09 build electra makes the exact noise your talking about which absolutely shits me to tears, l know a bloke who's bought 2 09 hd's and he tells me no problem, asked the mechanic where l bought it tells me the moco sent out a tech sheet saying thats the way it is, it goes in for its first service soon and l will find out whats going on

hungryeye · 08-24-2009, 08:13 PM

I had that bang on an 07 superglide and now on my brand new 09 superglide, I always thought it came from the exhaust. It doesn't do it at every startup, I think it is unburned fuel, when it does bang it does start immediatly, if it cranks a few turns it doesn't bang. I'm trying to remember to use the shutdown button instead of key, it may have something to do with it, just MHO.