Primary noise
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 9
From: peoria az
Primary noise
Theres been a noise coming from my primary, like a swooshing or slapping sound, kinda like an almost meter on metal sound making revolutions. I have a 2015 Dyna street bob fxdb. First thing I checked is the stock primary chain tensioner. I removed it and noticed some Grovers worn into the shoe from the chain just from wear over time. Im debating changing the tensioner, but I cant decide whats better, automatic or manual tensioner. And wondering if anyone has had the same experience or knows if that could contribute to the loud noise that drives me mental? Sometimes I hear it over my thunderheader pipe.
The other thing I considered was maybe my compensator, which I eventually wantt to upgrader to a dark horse man o war or baker, but for now, Im just chasing down this noise and starting at the cheapest possibility.
The other thing I considered was maybe my compensator, which I eventually wantt to upgrader to a dark horse man o war or baker, but for now, Im just chasing down this noise and starting at the cheapest possibility.
Last edited by dhayesaz; Oct 17, 2023 at 10:13 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 864
From: Iowa
Seems like it could be a lot of things. Look for wear or impact on the upper case from a loose chain but it could also be the inner primary bearing going bad and you wont see anything other than maybe shavings in the oil.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 2,202
From: College Station, TX
How many miles on this bike? When does it make the noise? Do you hear the noise when cranking or shutting down the engine? At idle, clutch pulled in with it in gear, on acceleration or decel? Does the noise change when cold or hot? Was the tension on the primary chain correct when you removed the cover?
I'd stay with the HD auto tensioner. The older ones would tend to over tighten the chain, but the newer ones work very well for most street bikes.
Did you find any metal on the drain plug magnet when you drained the primary oil? Or any metal resting at the bottom of the primary? If you wtill have the outter cover off, look for signs of the clutch hub rubbing on the inner primary. If there is nothing obvious, you will need to remove the compensator and clutch hub to check for worn or damaged parts.
Paul
I'd stay with the HD auto tensioner. The older ones would tend to over tighten the chain, but the newer ones work very well for most street bikes.
Did you find any metal on the drain plug magnet when you drained the primary oil? Or any metal resting at the bottom of the primary? If you wtill have the outter cover off, look for signs of the clutch hub rubbing on the inner primary. If there is nothing obvious, you will need to remove the compensator and clutch hub to check for worn or damaged parts.
Paul
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 9
From: peoria az
The oil was clean as was the plug, but Ive changed it pretty recently. I dont remember seeing any metal shavings or anything like that. Ive got about 50k miles on it.
the noise occurs always. Hot, cold, idle, in gear, etc. the only time I dont hear it is when theres a load on it like when Im actually moving because my pipe gets pretty loud at that point.
Ive never considered the bearing so maybe thats something to look into.
the noise occurs always. Hot, cold, idle, in gear, etc. the only time I dont hear it is when theres a load on it like when Im actually moving because my pipe gets pretty loud at that point.
Ive never considered the bearing so maybe thats something to look into.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,305
Likes: 6,325
From: Honah Lee
There’s been a noise coming from my primary, like a swooshing or slapping sound, kinda like an almost meter on metal sound making revolutions. I have a 2015 Dyna street bob fxdb. First thing I checked is the stock primary chain tensioner. I removed it and noticed some Grovers worn into the shoe from the chain just from wear over time. Im debating changing the tensioner, but I can’t decide what’s better, automatic or manual tensioner. And wondering if anyone has had the same experience or knows if that could contribute to the loud noise that drives me mental? Sometimes I hear it over my thunderheader pipe.
The other thing I considered was maybe my compensator, which I eventually wantt to upgrader to a dark horse man o war or baker, but for now, I’m just chasing down this noise and starting at the cheapest possibility.
The other thing I considered was maybe my compensator, which I eventually wantt to upgrader to a dark horse man o war or baker, but for now, I’m just chasing down this noise and starting at the cheapest possibility.
Be sure to run non-detergent gear oil like Formula + which is best year-round. So thinner motor oils make it noisy especially ATF.
The compensator can get a little rough but doesn't hurt anything. It won't leave you sitting. (unless you beat the crap out of it...which some do, so don't know how you drive it. )
I personally would try it again.
Notes. If you didn't tie it down, do so before installing. There is really no upgrade here. Just someone's other way. The best one ever was Harley's manual one. But you don't have a window to set it. Mine has 50K and has been adjusted once. And even then, it was a little under the minimum.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,540
Likes: 1,836
From: Albuquerque, NM
Keep in mind that the older bikes that had manual primary chain tensioners had a plate on the side of the primary cover that you would remove to access the tensioner. Easy to adjust without draining the primary oil. The newer bikes don't have that removable plate, so to adjust the tensioner you have to drain the primary oil and remove the entire outer primary cover.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 2,202
From: College Station, TX
Are you certin the noise is coming from the primary? Noises can travel making it difficult to narrow down where it is coming from.
How old is the compensator? Do you get the noise (or similar) when you turn the engine off or while starting it?
I'd pull the cover and inspect the comp closely. That will likely require removing it, but will also let you know if the comp bolt has losened. When refilling the primary with oil, fill to slightly below the bottom of the pressure plate. I prefer either HD Formula Plus or their Heavy Gear synthetic oil 80w-140 in the primary.
Paul
How old is the compensator? Do you get the noise (or similar) when you turn the engine off or while starting it?
I'd pull the cover and inspect the comp closely. That will likely require removing it, but will also let you know if the comp bolt has losened. When refilling the primary with oil, fill to slightly below the bottom of the pressure plate. I prefer either HD Formula Plus or their Heavy Gear synthetic oil 80w-140 in the primary.
Paul
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 9
From: peoria az
Man, idk. I did the jack the bike up & rock the wheel back and forth hard thing, I drained the oil and put Harley formula + in & it got WORSE! It sounds like theres a ****in rattle snake in my primary constantly rattling!
I went to the HD service desk and played the noise for the technician. He says.... its probably your compensator. One dead give away that its your compensator is the noise will change when you pull the clutch in. I tested it and no matter what is going on with the clutch or gear, the rattle is there. Loud af too! Its like part of the bikes heart beat now and it makes me wanna open up a vein and slide into a warm bath; ya know what Im sayin? The noise permeates my ear drum, sets up a little campsite in my brain and tortures me!
idk! I dont have a stethoscope, but I did some super up close listening all around the motorcycle and Id bet the farm its coming directly from my primary! Directly underneath the horn. At first listen, you almost
rbink its coming from the horn itself.
im out of options (that I know of) cause Im no mechanic. I suppose Ill get me a new compensator. Either dark horse or baker (leaning towards dark horse) and see what happens. So help me, if I swap out compensators, fire my hog up & hear a single rattle, Im gonna kick that pig over and jump into the swimming pool with the toaster in my arms!
I went to the HD service desk and played the noise for the technician. He says.... its probably your compensator. One dead give away that its your compensator is the noise will change when you pull the clutch in. I tested it and no matter what is going on with the clutch or gear, the rattle is there. Loud af too! Its like part of the bikes heart beat now and it makes me wanna open up a vein and slide into a warm bath; ya know what Im sayin? The noise permeates my ear drum, sets up a little campsite in my brain and tortures me!
idk! I dont have a stethoscope, but I did some super up close listening all around the motorcycle and Id bet the farm its coming directly from my primary! Directly underneath the horn. At first listen, you almost
rbink its coming from the horn itself.
im out of options (that I know of) cause Im no mechanic. I suppose Ill get me a new compensator. Either dark horse or baker (leaning towards dark horse) and see what happens. So help me, if I swap out compensators, fire my hog up & hear a single rattle, Im gonna kick that pig over and jump into the swimming pool with the toaster in my arms!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,071
Likes: 11,093
From: San Diego, CA
Man, idk. I did the jack the bike up & rock the wheel back and forth hard thing, I drained the oil and put Harley formula + in & it got WORSE! It sounds like there’s a ****in rattle snake in my primary constantly rattling!
I went to the HD service desk and played the noise for the technician. He says.... it’s probably your compensator. One dead give away that it’s your compensator is the noise will change when you pull the clutch in. I tested it and no matter what is going on with the clutch or gear, the rattle is there. Loud af too! It’s like part of the bikes heart beat now and it makes me wanna open up a vein and slide into a warm bath; ya know what I’m sayin? The noise permeates my ear drum, sets up a little campsite in my brain and tortures me!
idk! I don’t have a stethoscope, but I did some super up close listening all around the motorcycle and I’d bet the farm it’s coming directly from my primary! Directly underneath the horn. At first listen, you almost
rbink it’s coming from the horn itself.
im out of options (that I know of) cause I’m no mechanic. I suppose I’ll get me a new compensator. Either dark horse or baker (leaning towards dark horse) and see what happens. So help me, if I swap out compensators, fire my hog up & hear a single rattle, I’m gonna kick that pig over and jump into the swimming pool with the toaster in my arms!
I went to the HD service desk and played the noise for the technician. He says.... it’s probably your compensator. One dead give away that it’s your compensator is the noise will change when you pull the clutch in. I tested it and no matter what is going on with the clutch or gear, the rattle is there. Loud af too! It’s like part of the bikes heart beat now and it makes me wanna open up a vein and slide into a warm bath; ya know what I’m sayin? The noise permeates my ear drum, sets up a little campsite in my brain and tortures me!
idk! I don’t have a stethoscope, but I did some super up close listening all around the motorcycle and I’d bet the farm it’s coming directly from my primary! Directly underneath the horn. At first listen, you almost
rbink it’s coming from the horn itself.
im out of options (that I know of) cause I’m no mechanic. I suppose I’ll get me a new compensator. Either dark horse or baker (leaning towards dark horse) and see what happens. So help me, if I swap out compensators, fire my hog up & hear a single rattle, I’m gonna kick that pig over and jump into the swimming pool with the toaster in my arms!
Instead of throwing parts at it...... take the primary cover off, and inspect the entire primary first....
Once you find an issue with a part, THEN buy the replacement part and fix it....
Take pics and post them up on here if you don't see anything you think is bad/broken/loose......