Chain slap noies

[gonefishin19]

I have an 08 Ultra that has a intermitent noise from the left side when I do a slow roll from a stop. It didnt' start unitl I had my 1000 mile service done. Has anyone else had this problem or have an idea what might be causing it?

The dealer has torn the primary down and inspected it and readjusted the rear belt but the problem is still there, only in first from a stop or in slow traffic where I'm in and out of the clutch.

The only thing I did different at the 1000 mile was switch to synthetic.

[widowmaker]

I had the same problem on my 07 Road Glide. The dealer checked everything in the primary and said no problems. I replaced the synthetic in the primary with formula plus from Harley. This helped a bunch. I also make sure I don't lug this engine on take off. Much better now.

[wedjim]

I have been battling some noises in my bike since I picked it up(Off rental bike). I thought it was pinging at first, so thinking it was tuned lean at H.D., I put mufflers and a Power Commander on. Since I was going to anyway soon, I thought it might eliminate or improve my rattle noises.

Long story short, it still does it. The problem occurs when ever I shift into 3rd below 35mph, 4th below 45mph or 5th below 55mph.

Is this a noise you guys have, or are these speeds you also shift at? Sooner? Later?

I am wondering now about carbon knock or even possibly a motor mount, turnbuckle adjustments, etc. possibly being the cause?

Thanks for any information you can give me!

...Jim
W.E.D.

[Bubba Neil]

wedjim,
Sounds like your bike needs the IDS rear sprocket.It will quell most of the drivetrain noise you hear.
I run non-synthetic in my primary too, just feels smoother and less noise for me.

[wedjim]

Ahhhh, IDS is the term for the new design rear sprocket! haha
You are the only one to say what an IDS is.
THANKS!
I will look into that, since it does make sense and would be the type of noise i'm hearing. If I let the motor run down at 2,000(?) rpm or so it must transfer the engine pulses to the drivetrain, the reason for the new design.




Being an Auto Tech sucks, since I want to sort it out myself, but I have Zero HD experience. The only time I brought the bike for service it cost me $100 for brake noise to spray the pads with brake cleaner. 40 miles later, the noise was back.

I put pads in from Drag specialties myself. $76, no dust, no noise, 800 miles so far. No intention of letting H.D. touch it again.

...Jim

[Bubba Neil]

Should have mentioned in 1st post that you are likely lugging the engine, I try not to shift into 5th gear until 55, 6th at 65.

There are some good HD techs and dealerships, but they are getting harder to find.

[ajiarcher]

could chain slap noise be from quirk with auto primary chain adjuster?

[gonefishin19]

Since I've posted this I've put another 2000 miles on the bike and still get the same noise. It only happens just comming off of a stop with light throttle. I just talked with the owner of my local HD shop and he said his personal ride is making the same noise so he at least knows what I am talkin about now and will engage with the HD tech reps on this.

Thanks for your inputs on this. I will keep you informed of what the dealer finds out from HD.

[ceraaa42]

FWIW, the 08's already come with the IDS rear sprocket.

Chris

[x52gnr]

My o7 Ultra has the same noise, nothing is loose, never figured it out , doesnt burn oil, leak oil , overheat and plugs look good so I guess I will ride till it splodes.......

[rbabos]

Originally Posted by ajiarcher

could chain slap noise be from quirk with auto primary chain adjuster?

On decel the auto adjuster will cause a slightly slacker chain as it compresses the shoe spring on the reverse load. On my softail I had a spot in the inner primary close to the engine sprocket where the chain was having intermitant contact with the inner. Clearanced it with dremel and problem solved. As the shoe compresses on decel the angle of the chain changes slightly and made contact. There is a ton of slack in the whole driveline and this can be felt by rolling in first at about 5 mph. Go with slight decel and slight accel and a clack can be heard each time. That noise is normal.
Ron

[chopper blue de]

The other possibility is the run out on the flywheels. I had a similar noise, looked into it and found the chain had busted the tensioner shoe. It ended up .0063 run out according to the dealer. Steve at gmr now has the motor for a rebuild and fix.

best of luck
jim

[rbabos]

Do you mean .063 or .0063 as I've had .007 right from new. Can't do anything about it as the mother ship raised the runout to .012, so they no fixy.
Ron