knocking at idle
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 86
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Mine does it, and the dealer took it apart, checked everything, and declared it "normal." It's clearly coming from the primary case, and nothing in there is "new" really, except that they tell me the compensator is new and has a flat roller bearing that they think makes the noise. Just a theory on the service manager's part. Anyway, I look forward to the "fix," because you can't tell me the Motor Company wanted this thing to sound like this at stop lights. It'll be knocking away and then the ETIMS kicks in and it really goes to town! My buddy on his Heritage and I were just laughing at it...sounds like an old diesel.
The irony, for me, is that I put up with horrendous engine noise on my old Road Star for years, finally got used to it and accepted it, and when I could finally afford a Harley, it's a noisy one. Whatever....it sounds great once I'm moving.
The irony, for me, is that I put up with horrendous engine noise on my old Road Star for years, finally got used to it and accepted it, and when I could finally afford a Harley, it's a noisy one. Whatever....it sounds great once I'm moving.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Did you ask them how they adjusted a self adjust primary tensioner that has no adjustment. (unless you pull the whole outer primary cover and take it out and re-install it collapsed) Most all Harleys do make a lot of uneven racket in the primary at idle. As the idle is maintained, if you watch the tac, they usually hunt about 50 to 100 rpm. As they pick up or drop off, that increase torques the compensator slightly. The compensator is there to smooth these impulses so you do not fill shudder from the V-twin riding down the road. The surfaces of the fingers on it are a cast surface and they make noise as they rub up the ramp under the heavy spring pressure of the cup belleville springs. As the cup springs flatten, they could even be making noise as they rub the large cup they are retained in. Harleys are not Hondas.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 86
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Did you ask them how they adjusted a self adjust primary tensioner that has no adjustment. (unless you pull the whole outer primary cover and take it out and re-install it collapsed) Most all Harleys do make a lot of uneven racket in the primary at idle. As the idle is maintained, if you watch the tac, they usually hunt about 50 to 100 rpm. As they pick up or drop off, that increase torques the compensator slightly. The compensator is there to smooth these impulses so you do not fill shudder from the V-twin riding down the road. The surfaces of the fingers on it are a cast surface and they make noise as they rub up the ramp under the heavy spring pressure of the cup belleville springs. As the cup springs flatten, they could even be making noise as they rub the large cup they are retained in. Harleys are not Hondas.
All good info, I'm sure, but the fact is that -- while this is the first Harley I've owned -- I've ridden numerous Harleys since 1984 (I used to work as a motorcycle journalist.) This noise that I'm referring to is louder than any other Harley I've ridden. My friend's 103B engine makes nothing like it....totally silent mechanicals there in the primary case. I rented an 09 SG that didn't make this noise, and it was a beat-to-hell POS with 68,000 miles on it! So, I'll stand by my assessment that this noise isn't something the Harley engineers heard and said "yeah, that's cool...folks are going to like that." This noise is pretty lame sounding.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 48
From: eastern mi
Mine sounds like a Harley,5000 mi and running like a well oiled machine.Hope your noises are nothing serious. My concerns are gonna be the compensator,there SE but with the TQ they put out makes me curios if they'll hold up.Should know before summers over.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 83
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Noise at idle
You guys are right. There is something happening. I have a 14 limited that I bought in September and now has 17K miles. From day one I noticed the EITMS coming on earlier than my 12 Limited and figured that was kind of the weird sound at Idle. I can't say when I really heard the sound for sure, but for the last two months I figured it was in my head and disabled the EITMS. However this weekend on a group road trip several of by buddies confirmed they heard it too. The bike idles fine, except there is an extra rattle/vibration on and off like the engine is going to fall out, but it is subtle, yet noticeable. Seems to get a little better with clutch pulled in, but does not go away completely. It only does it when warmed up and other than that runs perfectly. I have had the clutch recall done, and had all the scheduled service done at my HD dealer. I am running Syn. I have the stage 1 done with the street tuner and have the SE street cannons and the bike dyno'd. I am going to take it to the dealer this week or the next to show them the noise, but I expect them to say that is just the way it sounds. My local dealer is really great, and if the any dealer can address it and fix it, and know they can.
Update: 7/17/14 Dealer was told by Harley to replace the clutch and it seemed to so the trick. It is now very slight, and that is just the way the new motors sound. I do really hear the improvement.
8/17/14 - noise came back. dealer replaced the transmission bearings and this seemed to fix the issue. Rode 1,000 miles this weekend and everything seems fine.
Update: 7/17/14 Dealer was told by Harley to replace the clutch and it seemed to so the trick. It is now very slight, and that is just the way the new motors sound. I do really hear the improvement.
8/17/14 - noise came back. dealer replaced the transmission bearings and this seemed to fix the issue. Rode 1,000 miles this weekend and everything seems fine.
Last edited by jcp0330; Aug 10, 2014 at 10:19 PM. Reason: To Update
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 11
From: Phoenix,Az. area
I had the same noise on my 2014 TG with 2500 mi. on it. While on a trip out of state the noise started as described & I stopped in at Pig Trail HD in Rogers AK & they correctly diagnosed as a loose compensater screw & replaced & retorqued & that fixed the problem.
They said they had seen this before . Hope this helps!!!
They said they had seen this before . Hope this helps!!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,414
Likes: 374
From: Southern NY, known as Florida
Same noise on mine. I know its not the eitms. Were at a light and had my buddy listen, he thought I had a loose part about to fall off the bike........lol
Mine also did not start until after the 100o mi service and went with syn
Hmmmm
Mine also did not start until after the 100o mi service and went with syn
Hmmmm
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Mine too! But it goes away after twist of the throttle, is that what they call parade mode also?