Starting trouble on 95 dyna wide glide

[Pimpygrub]

When i try to start my bike, it will clunk and grind sometimes. When it does it, sometimes a puff of smoke will come out the intake. Could a bad battery cause this kind of problem? Someone told me that it sounds like my starter os working over and suggested i get bigger cables. However one of the terminals did recently get damaged a bit. Any input before i go replacing random expensive electrical components?

[Wide]

Could be, kind of hard to know without seeing it on this one.

Also could be the bendix drive going out

[Horse]

Before you get to deep into this (?) where is you timing set at(?).

[wreckerman]

no good answer, but a few things you can look at before shelling out cash

put battery on charge
make sure all cable connection or tight "starter, battery and grounds"
check timing "if never had a problem before skip this"
Bendix drive could be bad "common"
also check compensating nut, to make sure it has not backed off "common"
and finely you did not state if this engine has been modified does it need compression relief valves. ?

keep us posted on what you find, and good luck

[arthureld]

Could be plug wires.
Is it turning over?

[Pimpygrub]

I replaced the battery and it started up good, there was still a clunking sound when i start it somewhat though.
What is the compensating nut? Isnt that the reverse thread nut on the mainshaft?

[wreckerman]

I replaced the battery and it started up good, there was still a clunking sound when i start it somewhat though.
What is the compensating nut? Isnt that the reverse thread nut on the main shaft?

yes that is correct, there has been problems with them not getting tightened enough , also A little lock tight would not hurt anything , there was so many problems with the newer bikes clunking and clanking that Harley came out with a kit for replacing the compensating gears nut the whole set up have installed a few and customers have been extremely happy, all new 103 from the factory come with this improvement