Slapping noise on 2000 Ultra - Harley Forum

thetnfolks · #1 05-13-2009, 01:28 PM

I have developed a "slapping" noise which is very intermittent. I hear it in 4th and 5th gear only and at 45 MPH+. Sounds like it is coming from the front. Sometimes I ride 50 miles and not hear it...the next time I may hear it 20 or 30 times in 50 miles. It is only occasional and may slap 2 or 3 times and then quit for several miles. Sounds something like a gravel hitting the front fender. Harley dealers have looked for loose wires and found nothing. Have run it on a jack in 5th gear at 60 MPH for 20 minutes and heard absolutely nothing in engine. HELP!!!

frisco-rigid · #2 05-13-2009, 03:31 PM

Hi The
First off, I'm guessing you think it is an External noise rather than an internal noise,, correct..??
In-other-words you don't think it's from the motor or inner Primary right..???

I live in a very dirty area with gravel and dirt everywhere even on the paved roads..
We often get the sound of gravel whipping up from the front tire and hitting the under-side of the front fender..
It sounds more like dinging to me rather than slapping..

Also check the fairing and windshield for anything that could produce such a noise..
Next time it is persistant grab hold of the windshield in diff spots to see what happens..
I've found windshield noises that way..

Ha,, loose wires would have to be whipping around in a violent manner to produce a slapping noise you can hear at 45+ mph..

evoKENevo · #3 05-13-2009, 04:38 PM

Hmmm...could this intermittent slapping noise kind of like gravel hitting the front fender be "spark knock" at 45 mph in 4th or 5th gear under a load on the road v.s. on a jack ????

thetnfolks · #4 05-13-2009, 08:37 PM

I think it's external because everything is so quiet on the jack...but I realize the bike is not under load. It is so smooth and quiet otherwise. I even imagine a washer loose in the bottom of the primary or transmission. It is a worry!!

street bob · #5 05-13-2009, 10:47 PM

Sounds like you'll need to go into the primary just to eliminate that issue.

old no. seven · #6 05-14-2009, 08:08 PM

Have you checked the tension on your primary chain lately? The chain could be hitting the top inside of the outer primary case.

thetnfolks · #7 05-15-2009, 06:44 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like it's time to go into the primary. Report later

cntrhub · #8 05-15-2009, 10:18 AM

Slapping is when you back off the gas. The chain sorta waves the other way at the unload. So it hits shore and the wave of the [loose chain] can slap the slipper pad or if really loose, could eat that upper primary cover.

Now, I would dump the primary; check for aluminum shavings. < If the slap is the primary chain. Maybe you can verify the 'slap' was the primary by how loose the pri-chain is now.

thetnfolks · #9 05-15-2009, 09:14 PM

Thanks for your reply. Just a little more info. The slapping, pinging or knocking or whatever you call it happens under load at 50 to 60 mph, and not necessarily when when you back off the throttle, though I have heard it occasionally shen I back off.
Also, I had a Harley dealer replace the stator about 500 miles ago. I was hearing the noise before this work and after this work, but wouldn't the chain tension and alignment normally be checked after this work was done.

shovelmike · #10 05-15-2009, 10:00 PM

Yes, upon reassembly the primary chain should have been adjusted properly. The key phrase is "should have been", mistakes happen. I would take a good look to make sure. Since it was occurring before stator replacement it's not real high on the suspects list but make sure.