Hey Riders,
I recently purchased a 2011 Super Glide Custom and I have been hearing an odd sound. When I let off the throttle at any speed, I hear a loud whirring noise from the left side of the bike. To be honest, it sounds like it is coming directly from the horn, but this is my first Harley Davidson so I am not sure if this is normal. I took my father-in-law's 2008 Softtail Custom for a ride today and I did not hear the noise at all, so now I am greatly concerned that it is not normal.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kevin

 

Could be whinning from the primary, does it sound like a turbo kicking in

 

I am not sure what the primary is, I am very new to owning a bike. It does sound kind of like a turbo, and when I pull the clutch in, it goes away.

 

The primary is the big, round, chrome appendage that sticks out just behind your left foot. Does the bike run fine? Run it hard through the gears from 0-75 or so and back down to zero. If the bike runs fine, don't worry about it. Harleys make all kinds of sounds and they are fine. Oh, and no two Harleys sound the same.

 

rdondes,

The bike seems to run fine. I haven't felt any unusual strain or anything. But the noise is pretty loud and that is why it concerned me. But overall, its the best purchase I have ever made, I love every second of it!!

Thanks,
Kevin

 

The big case/cover by your left foot is the primary. Inside is a chain connecting the crank end to the clutch. There is an auto adjuster in there keeping the chain at a predetermined tension. There also a predetermined amount of lubricant supposed to be in the primary. How many miles are on this bike?

 

That large chunk of chrome is called the primary cover. It's how the engine is connected to the transmission. There is a chain in there and lots of other cool things.

 

I bought an 87 Softail that I thought was making funny noises. I took it to the dealer and the mechanic took it for a short ride and said it was just normal Harley noises. Maybe to ease your mind you should have it checked out.

 

You just need some louder pipes.

 

Hi Marine.

I have the same bike, brand spanking new as well. I have not noticed that sound, could be I'm just more hearing challenged than you, I'm just not hearing it over the wind. This is also my first new HD. More than likely this noise is just one of the myriad of sounds that is the HD opera, and your hearing is attuned to it. By all means have your service guy take it for a spin tho, you ride his

I agree with The Dean, louder pipes are in order, and I'm waiting until after the first service to take that plunge. I'm at 234 miles right now, in Ohio, at this rate it might be July before 500 miles rolls by.