primary, clutch or trans noise? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

28gauge · 07-19-2009, 02:34 PM

Been chasing this noise coming from primary area and I finally figured out when it happens. First off it's a brand new Road King with 170 miles. Noise was there from ride home from dealer, but it's not as bad. Happens occasionally. Here's what it does. When the bike gets fully hot (I live in Tucson) and I stop at an idle in neutral, all is fine. Then, I pull back the clutch lever, drop it in 1st, and for a few seconds I get kind of a whirring screeching noise. Not that loud. Then, it quickly goes away. Don't think it's ever there when I'm moving. Checked primary fluid, it's fine. What do you think? Could it be a clutch adjustment?

rbabos · 07-19-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 28gauge

Been chasing this noise coming from primary area and I finally figured out when it happens. First off it's a brand new Road King with 170 miles. Noise was there from ride home from dealer, but it's not as bad. Happens occasionally. Here's what it does. When the bike gets fully hot (I live in Tucson) and I stop at an idle in neutral, all is fine. Then, I pull back the clutch lever, drop it in 1st, and for a few seconds I get kind of a whirring screeching noise. Not that loud. Then, it quickly goes away. Don't think it's ever there when I'm moving. Checked primary fluid, it's fine. What do you think? Could it be a clutch adjustment?

My first guess would be the clutch hub bearing from your description, providing the clutch feels like it's adjusted correctly.
Ron

28gauge · 07-20-2009, 09:00 AM

Clutch feels ok from an operational standpoint but I was thinking the adjustment at the clutch may not have enough end play and when it gets hot there's a little contact. It's probably a good thing to check since an improper adjustment is more likely on a brand new bike than a bad bearing?

28gauge · 07-22-2009, 06:50 PM

Did a clutch adjustment by the book today. The adjustment screw under the derby had no free play as opposed to being backed off between 1/2 and 1 turn. Backed it off and adjusted the cable correctly. Couldn't road test due to weather. Think this could be the source of my noise when hot?

nvsteve · 07-22-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 28gauge

Did a clutch adjustment by the book today. The adjustment screw under the derby had no free play as opposed to being backed off between 1/2 and 1 turn. Backed it off and adjusted the cable correctly. Couldn't road test due to weather. Think this could be the source of my noise when hot?

It might be. I have an 07 which has the same primary as yours.
The noise you describe is the same as mine but I can hear it at varying speeds in lower gears. Definitely from the primary as I can pull the clutch in and it goes away. With the clutch still in if I rev the motor a bit I can hear it. Probably the auto tensioner.

Pikeslayer · 07-27-2009, 08:58 AM

Sounds similar to what happened to my '06 Dyna. At stand still, in neutral, clutch lever out I would hear whirring. At stand still, in neutral, clutch lever pulled in, noise gone. Inner primary bearing was shot. According to the dealer, there was a defect from the bearing manufacturer.

After rereading I think our situations are reversed. For me, clutch lever out = noise. Opposite for you.