Went on a poker run last weekend and noticed the bike making a funny noise. Asked my buddies if they could hear it. Their reply was " It's a Harley". Ya,well a guy knows when his bike is making a noise out of the ordinary.
By the time I got home it sounded REAL BAD. Monday afternoon I babied it out to the dealer. Mechanic was standing outside and heard me pull in. Immediately said " sounds like your compensating sprocket is about to flyoff, common Harley problem" Told me what tools I would need and how to fix it if I wanted to do it myself. Of course I did, babied back home with fingers crossed. Made it home and was able toborrowa torque wrench that would go up to 165 ft. lbs. and soon had ittightened back up.Easy fix. I got lucky.
When I had the primary cover off Inoticed the inner primary bolts had bendable tabs tokeep them from coming loose. Not a one of them hadever been bent tohold the bolt. Came from the factory that way. Makes me wonder if the sprocket bolt was ever torqued and locktited. Someone must ofbeen having a bad day. Anyhow, the torque on the compensating bolt should be checked at leastat the 20,000 mi. checkup.

 

Yep, I had the same problem with my '03 ultra last year. The noise it makes is pretty unmistakable now that you know what it is.

 

Yep, it's pretty unmistakeable once you've heard it.

 

You must use RED locktite on that nut. Im surprised the mech didnt tell you that. It says it in the book.

 

You got lucky it didn't eat the main shaft splines.

Been there, done that, and have the repair bill to show for it.[:'(][&:]

 

Little more info, where is this bolt located? Got a pic? Gonna check mine.

 

Left side front, behind the primary cover.

 

It's red locktited now. I got very lucky, only about three turns left on the bolt. Worst part of this fix is removing the floor board and a 35$ gasket.

 

Hey Puzzled, that's a great picture you posted of the primary, you must be a pro. My 01 is multi-blue version.