Strange Squeal
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,145
From: Las Vegas
Strange Squeal
2021 Heritage 114 - 600 miles
At operating temperature and coming to a stop, I have a strange squeal at idle that sounds like it's coming from the primary. Makes no difference if in neutral, or 1st gear with clutch in. However, I can grab a bunch of front brake and slowly ease the clutch out while in gear and make it squeal pretty good. Sounds like a bad throw out bearing in a 1952 Chev pickup. But, that's not the case here as it only happens at idle, no other time.
Popped into the dealer and the service writer said it sounded like the counter balancer(s) and go ahead and run it, and that it didn't sound abnormal to him.
I came home and changed the primary fluid and it seems better, but I won't know for sure until tomorrow when it's not sofa king hot outside and I can get a good hard run on it.
Any other thoughts?
At operating temperature and coming to a stop, I have a strange squeal at idle that sounds like it's coming from the primary. Makes no difference if in neutral, or 1st gear with clutch in. However, I can grab a bunch of front brake and slowly ease the clutch out while in gear and make it squeal pretty good. Sounds like a bad throw out bearing in a 1952 Chev pickup. But, that's not the case here as it only happens at idle, no other time.
Popped into the dealer and the service writer said it sounded like the counter balancer(s) and go ahead and run it, and that it didn't sound abnormal to him.
I came home and changed the primary fluid and it seems better, but I won't know for sure until tomorrow when it's not sofa king hot outside and I can get a good hard run on it.
Any other thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,527
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
I want to hear thoughts on this one.. Post a sound video of it. Hard to believe it's that loud as you described and they say it's normal.
If that's the case, Harley needs to punch the holes a little bigger in the exhaust baffles.
The clutch should have nothing to do with the gears on the counterbalance. They actually are a stacked gear with a opposing spring to eliminate any backlash that could make a noise. Your Softail has two. The cruiser only one.
It's on YouTube.
Get a two ear stethoscope from Harbor Freight. About $5. Pinpoint the noise. Noises travel all over. Both ears need plugged, so no silly screwdriver method.
If that's the case, Harley needs to punch the holes a little bigger in the exhaust baffles.
The clutch should have nothing to do with the gears on the counterbalance. They actually are a stacked gear with a opposing spring to eliminate any backlash that could make a noise. Your Softail has two. The cruiser only one.
It's on YouTube.
Get a two ear stethoscope from Harbor Freight. About $5. Pinpoint the noise. Noises travel all over. Both ears need plugged, so no silly screwdriver method.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 27, 2021 at 05:50 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,145
From: Las Vegas
Your points are why I don't think its the counterbalancers. I can make the noise appear by manipulating the clutch while stopped and in gear.
I'll see if I can record it tomorrow.
I'll see if I can record it tomorrow.
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,145
From: Las Vegas
Yes I did, the level was fine.
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,145
From: Las Vegas
Changing the fluid didn't help any. Here's a vid of the noise. When I lock the front brake and modulate the clutch it becomes more prominent, and if I raise the RPM to just off idle the noise vanishes.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 5,276
Likes: 4,055
From: central Fl
well that service writer or manager doesnt have a clue. my m8 makes that sound very little, not like that. somethings wrong. i thought it was my oil pump. normal noises. but that is not right. i would take it to them and make them fix it. dot let them not fix it. normal for the noise is just barely hearable. i only really hear it at idle but nothing like what yours sounds like. mine makes no difference with clutch or anything but as i said only at idle. rev it goes away until it comes back to idle
Last edited by IBE; Aug 28, 2021 at 11:33 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,527
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
Sounds like your air intake has a lisp. Try putting a heavy old cotton towel around it briefly. One thing changing there is air flow. That little change in rpm would not affect something bad wrong if the noise stops like that.