When starting my NT, it really takes a hard crank to get it started. Sometimes, it makes a loud "clunk" of a sound that is just horrible. I thought maybe it was the battery but I took it to AutoZone and they tested it and said it was good. I also keep it on a battery tender when not in use. It has me so concerned that I've hardly riden lately because i'm afraid to stop somewhere and not be able to get it started again. Honestly, I've put off going to the stealer because they're going to charge an arm and a leg. I had one dealer look at it last fall and they simply wrote it off to a low battery so they charged it overnight and said it was fine (I hate the stealerships!!(for other reasons as well))

Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts on what this could be? Starter? Timing off? Other mechanica problem?

 

How old is the battery? Sometimes my bike fires on the first go, sometimes it takes 2 seconds for the starter to get it moving. Depending on how hot/cold the motor is. The loud clunk is just the weak harley compensator bottoming out. It's normal and won't hurt anything. If it bothers you, install the screaming eagle one. If it's clunking or grinding before you start it, are you starting it in first? Make sure it's in neutral so you're not putting extra load on the starter.

 

The battery is about a year and a half years old. This was what made me think it was bad, but like i said, it tested to be good. It does bother me. It sounds bad and makes people give me a horrible look when I start it. The bike is always started in Neutral, not in gear.

 

sounds to me could be the starter if your hearing loud clunks when starting

 

Is it a series of clunks or just the one once it starts? 1 clunk is ok, buncha clunks is bad. If it's clunking while it's trying to turn over, you might need to check out the starter.

 

when my battery started getting low my 03 EG would clunk and sound like it didnt want to start, but with a new battery it starts like new

try using jumper cables to see if it cranks good or better, if so you will need a battery, if not maybe a starter

 

what yr...

 

It's a 2008. Original battery