Sloppy Final Drive
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 362
Likes: 22
From: New York
Sloppy Final Drive
Hello all. 14 Fat Bob w/3300 miles, V&H 3" Slipons, DK Custom 587 AC and V&H FP3. Within the past two weeks there seems to be a lot of slop with in the final drive. I know I am not explaining the clearly but here goes. At low speed and low rpm, when I let off the throttle and then go back, there seems to be what I am calling slop as if the gears aren't meshing correctly and there seems to be a split second that there is a pause before the rear wheel gets power. Sort of like a slipping clutch and then all of a sudden it grabs. The bike will do it as I am coming to a stop, pull the clutch in then let it out again to continue under power. It's like a clunking feeling in either the transmission or the final drive. The bike is still under warranty and I will be calling the dealer tomorrow (Mondays closed). Just wondering if any of you guys has an educated guess. I am running Amsoil synthetic in all 3 holes. Should I drain and replace the Amsoil with a gear oil for the tranny before I call the dealer or just leave it the way it is and call.
Thanks
Thanks
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 276
From: Hawkeye state
amsoil is fine. Was clutch fully adjusted @ 1000 mile service? Trans will whine in 1st gear. Clunking is also typical noise. Could be many things. Other than clutch adjustment being unknown I would say just ride it and not obsess. Let dealer do a once over to be sure. Doesn't sound like you wrench so let dealer do a once over to be sure.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,957
Likes: 1,988
From: CA
Sounds like a loose belt, maybe loose primary chain. Simple to check, but If you don't want to check it yourself, the dealer can, for about $95/hour.
I highly recommend getting a shop manual so you can check that kind of thing yourself. Save you a lot of money.
I highly recommend getting a shop manual so you can check that kind of thing yourself. Save you a lot of money.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,156
Likes: 1,905
From: Doghouse... mostly
I think it's just the compensaver doing what it's supposed to do. Adjusting for the "shock" created by the drive-line. Completely normal but run it back to the dealer to be sure.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 362
Likes: 22
From: New York
Yea, I still have over a year left on the warranty, I am not going to wrench anything. I'll let the dealer tell me there is nothing wrong. Yes, I adjusted the clutch at 1k. I have wrenched bikes in the past but not while they still have the warranty.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
Raise the rear wheel so you can turn it. Put it in first gear without the engine running. Move the rear wheel forward and reward until it hits in gear. This will give you a better idea as how much lash you have.
I also agree to let the shop check it.
I also agree to let the shop check it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,774
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Sounds like a loose primary chain to me. Mine also did that a couple years ago and read on the forum to accelerate/decelerate several times "hard" and help the adjuster work as designed. It worked for me.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 848
Likes: 30
From: CO
Sounds normal to me. There is gear lash, primary slack and drive belt slack. You want to have some play in everything to keep stuff from breaking. If you're used to gear drive, it's gonna feel loose.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 362
Likes: 22
From: New York
Called the dealer today, if it's not raining, I will be bringing it in this Sat for them to take a look see. Oh and to add, I lost 3 out of the 5 wheel weights on my rear tire and the service guy had asked me if I felt a vibration coming from the rear. I had to laugh in his face and told him the entire bike vibrates and how the hell would I know. They are going to remove the rear wheel and re-balance. What a stupid question to ask.
Last edited by Rubline; Aug 19, 2015 at 09:12 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
Hello all. 14 Fat Bob w/3300 miles, V&H 3" Slipons, DK Custom 587 AC and V&H FP3. Within the past two weeks there seems to be a lot of slop with in the final drive. I know I am not explaining the clearly but here goes. At low speed and low rpm, when I let off the throttle and then go back, there seems to be what I am calling slop as if the gears aren't meshing correctly and there seems to be a split second that there is a pause before the rear wheel gets power. Sort of like a slipping clutch and then all of a sudden it grabs. The bike will do it as I am coming to a stop, pull the clutch in then let it out again to continue under power. It's like a clunking feeling in either the transmission or the final drive. The bike is still under warranty and I will be calling the dealer tomorrow (Mondays closed). Just wondering if any of you guys has an educated guess. I am running Amsoil synthetic in all 3 holes. Should I drain and replace the Amsoil with a gear oil for the tranny before I call the dealer or just leave it the way it is and call.
Thanks
Thanks