Funny noises from primary - Harley Forum

Fattdog · #1 09-09-2008, 11:50 PM

Hey everyone, this is my first post here. I recently got a new 08 HD Heritage softtail classic (07/03/08). I have been hearing noise and feeling ALOT of slack in the primary when I shift up or down. Today it rained and several times when stopping I locked up the rear wheel by mistake and I could hear and especially feel alot of slack in the primary. This does NOT seem normal to me. I have not yet been able to take the bike to the dealer. Does anyone have an opinon on what might be the problem?

Thanks in advance for any advice

Fattdog

JCourneyaP · #2 09-10-2008, 12:11 AM

You feel slack when you pull in the clutch or once engaged/clutch out??

Fattdog · #3 09-10-2008, 07:32 PM

If I am not completely smooth when I release the clutch after I shift I feel it and also when I just release the clutch like when you are in traffic and going slow and don't completely stop and then feed the clutch back in. It also does this if I am not super smooth when rolling on the throttle , in any gear. When I was on the way home in the rain and locked up the rear wheel it makes quite a racket like all the slack is coming to a quick stop.

Fattdog

Wrightturn · #4 09-10-2008, 10:36 PM

Hey Fattdog,

Your bike has an automatic adjuster for the primary chain. Check the primary oil then head for the dealer. This is warranty stuff.

Fattdog · #5 09-10-2008, 11:11 PM

So, your thinking that maybe the primary chain adjuster is bad?...I think the the problem is that the primary chain is too loose or the sprocket splines may also be bad. Thanks for the reply

Fattdog

Wrightturn · #6 09-10-2008, 11:24 PM

Hey Fatt,

Slack primary chain will cause the bike to shift poorly. I have not heard of any problems with the new adjuster but it is possible. A loose chain can make alot of racket. A loose comp sprocket will also make noise. All of this is easy to check and fix. Enjoy the warranty.

Fattdog · #7 09-11-2008, 12:28 AM

Thanks Wrightturn, I will get the bike to the dealer ASAP

Fattdog

street bob · #8 09-12-2008, 09:22 PM

Have you owned Harleys before?
This is definitely a warrantee issue!!

Fattdog · #9 09-13-2008, 12:02 AM

Well, I took the bike to the dealer today. Mechanic checked out the bike and said he did not hear anything out of the ordinary. I don't know what else to do. Anybody have any suggestions?
________
Fattdog

frisco-rigid · #10 09-13-2008, 02:19 AM

Hi Fat

While the Tech was NOT hearing anything outa the ordinary were you still hearing it..?

Did any of them take it for a ride to feel the ""slack"" feeling you feel.?

I think Wrightturn et al are right-on about slack AND it being a warranty issue.. Wright also mentioned the compensator sprocket.. A loose Comp Sprocket could allow a group of slack..

You raised a good question though about the splines being bad, however, if there was enough damage to the pulleys splines to allow slack I would think they'da all sheared off by now along with horrendous noise..
One thought-- has anybody worked on or adjusted the clutch or anything else in the primary--including changed fluids..??????
Keep posting,, ya might spark something in a bodys head..

Bottom line---- Warranty issue..