We are 2000 miles from home in Colorado and my bike has started making a strange noise. When I let off the gas is sounds like something is loose. It is almost like the primary chain but maybe clutch? Any suggestions? Oh and it's a 2009 Road King Classic. Thanks.

 

Strange and loose?
I had that happen once, just turned out to be a woman I picked up

 

It may be some slack in the primary chain when it's hot, the adjuster may not be adjusting correctly. Where in Colorado are you located? Mile high in Denver and Parker are great dealers if you want to get it checked out. If it is shifting ok the clutch may be ok. Does the primary make any strange noises on start up?

 

No noise when I start it but when I'm in gear and let off it is when I hear the noise the loudest. I can hear it on the highway but it sounds more like a metal on metal rattle.

 

Sounds a lot like a bad compensator

 

Since it happens when you get off the throttle my best guess would be some primary chain slapping the primary case due to some issue with the automatic chain tensioner. It is hard to diagnose an issue like that without hearing it in person.

 

I was wondering about a bad compensator that's why I asked if it made any noise at start up.

 

I thought about a compensator but was unsure of the symptoms. No noise at start up though.

 

Where in Colorado are you?

 

I have never heard of the compensator making noise on loss of load. If anything it is when you are loading the engine when a compensator makes noise.


If you have any tools, I would pull the derby cover and see if you can reach in with a screwdriver and test primary chain tension.