balancer bearing noise?
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Portland
balancer bearing noise?
My 06 Deluxe has a rythmic, higher-toned "Vrrrt Vrrtttt vrrrt vrrrtt" noise coming off the front end. It started last summer while on a road trip in Wyoming. Bike has 23,000 miles, I take very good care of her and have put 21,700 miles on it in the last 4 years. (she had 1,300 miles on it when I bought it)
If you stick you head down between the windshield and gas tank, it makes a sound like when the brakes are dragging. Vrrrt Vrrtttt vrrrt vrrrtt. you can feel a slight corresponding vibration in the handlebars. I originally thought it was my front wheel bearings, but the sound is present at idle, and increases/decreases on acceleration/deceleration, and gets louder when the bike gets hot or under load.
Then suspected a rubbing primary, but I just had the secondary drive belt, clutch hub, throw-out bearing, rear brakes, primary adjusted, and a whole new rear wheel assembly replaced at the dealership, (due to loose spokes bending my rim) and the noise is still there.
The dealership mechanic, and head service manager, said "Nothing sounds catastrophic, or immediate, just might be a bit noisy....it is totally okay to take on your trip. Its nothing that would cause the engine to seize, or cause overheating. I would ride it on your trip myself."
It 'might' be the counter balancer bearing, but can't say for sure until the noise is more obvious, and I would have to crack the case to investigate." $$$$
I'm headed out for a 4300 mile journey on Monday, am queen of "whats that noise?" and am hyper-vigilant about my bike.
Just wanted a third opinion if anyone else has had issues with the counter balancer, or if I should be worrying about anything on my trip?
Advise?
If you stick you head down between the windshield and gas tank, it makes a sound like when the brakes are dragging. Vrrrt Vrrtttt vrrrt vrrrtt. you can feel a slight corresponding vibration in the handlebars. I originally thought it was my front wheel bearings, but the sound is present at idle, and increases/decreases on acceleration/deceleration, and gets louder when the bike gets hot or under load.
Then suspected a rubbing primary, but I just had the secondary drive belt, clutch hub, throw-out bearing, rear brakes, primary adjusted, and a whole new rear wheel assembly replaced at the dealership, (due to loose spokes bending my rim) and the noise is still there.
The dealership mechanic, and head service manager, said "Nothing sounds catastrophic, or immediate, just might be a bit noisy....it is totally okay to take on your trip. Its nothing that would cause the engine to seize, or cause overheating. I would ride it on your trip myself."
It 'might' be the counter balancer bearing, but can't say for sure until the noise is more obvious, and I would have to crack the case to investigate." $$$$
I'm headed out for a 4300 mile journey on Monday, am queen of "whats that noise?" and am hyper-vigilant about my bike.
Just wanted a third opinion if anyone else has had issues with the counter balancer, or if I should be worrying about anything on my trip?
Advise?
Last edited by tat2dancer; Jun 9, 2017 at 11:35 AM. Reason: I thought I could better describe the noise and issues
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,689
Likes: 8,295
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Dealer already said it was nothing to worry about but you still are. Asking for opinions here are just that, opinions. If you get enough that say don't worry about it, you wont. If you get enough that say worry about it, you will. If it comes in at 50/50 you will still worry about it since your predisposed.
Wish I could help you, a new just developed noise does not sound like a good thing (pardon the pun)
Can you go to another shop for a second opinion?
Don't suppose you just noticed this after installing the windshield?
Know anybody with an 88b you could listen to?
Wish I could help you, a new just developed noise does not sound like a good thing (pardon the pun)
Can you go to another shop for a second opinion?
Don't suppose you just noticed this after installing the windshield?
Know anybody with an 88b you could listen to?
Last edited by roussfam; Jun 11, 2017 at 07:09 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Portland
HI, thanks for your response :-)
Much appreciated!
You are right about the opinion/worry thing, and yes, agreed that new noises aren't good. I suppose I am mostly looking for more info on counter balancer issues/troubleshooting, and what would cause it to suddenly go bad. I like to know the why behind the what.
I'm pretty mechanically inclined, change my own fluids, spark plugs, air filters, brake pads, replaced the belt on my former '92 FLSTC, and totally rebuilt the top end of my '73 Honda CB350. This balancer thing is beyond my scope.
I've had the windshield on the whole time I have owned her (the last 21K miles). It was removed, the noise was still there....Unfortunately I don't know anyone else with an 88b.
I will have to trust, ride, not worry about it too much and have a good time! I will be taking her back in to the dealer to investigate further after we get back.
Thanks again :-)
Much appreciated!
You are right about the opinion/worry thing, and yes, agreed that new noises aren't good. I suppose I am mostly looking for more info on counter balancer issues/troubleshooting, and what would cause it to suddenly go bad. I like to know the why behind the what.
I'm pretty mechanically inclined, change my own fluids, spark plugs, air filters, brake pads, replaced the belt on my former '92 FLSTC, and totally rebuilt the top end of my '73 Honda CB350. This balancer thing is beyond my scope.
I've had the windshield on the whole time I have owned her (the last 21K miles). It was removed, the noise was still there....Unfortunately I don't know anyone else with an 88b.
I will have to trust, ride, not worry about it too much and have a good time! I will be taking her back in to the dealer to investigate further after we get back.
Thanks again :-)
Last edited by tat2dancer; Jun 11, 2017 at 11:28 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Portland
**update to overheating issues**
good news, the mystery is finally solved.
I went on the trip, and during the journey, the bike overheated while on the road, was having trouble starting a few times...and was still making noise.
I took it back in to the dealer when we got back, had a tuner, high flow air cleaner, and oil cooler installed.... no change, same problems, no codes.
She went back in for complete teardown at the dealership.
**result**
My inner crank bearings, cam, cam bearings had all failed, sending metal through the engine, flywheel, and oil tank. it is requiring an entire engine overhaul, replacement of all seals and engine related bearings. plus, my clutch cable is leaking.
Parts failure. nothing I did. I have change my fluids on schedule religiously for the last 26,000 miles....since I acquired her at a mere 1,300 miles.
...at least the mystery is solved. $$$$'s, unfortunately, no warranty.
I went on the trip, and during the journey, the bike overheated while on the road, was having trouble starting a few times...and was still making noise.
I took it back in to the dealer when we got back, had a tuner, high flow air cleaner, and oil cooler installed.... no change, same problems, no codes.
She went back in for complete teardown at the dealership.
**result**
My inner crank bearings, cam, cam bearings had all failed, sending metal through the engine, flywheel, and oil tank. it is requiring an entire engine overhaul, replacement of all seals and engine related bearings. plus, my clutch cable is leaking.
Parts failure. nothing I did. I have change my fluids on schedule religiously for the last 26,000 miles....since I acquired her at a mere 1,300 miles.
...at least the mystery is solved. $$$$'s, unfortunately, no warranty.
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Portland
Unfortunately, the dealership sent me on my big trip saying the noise was nothing to worry about, and it would be fine. so it was ridden 4300 miles like that. :/ not fine.
Last edited by tat2dancer; Sep 9, 2017 at 03:00 PM.
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
good news, the mystery is finally solved.
I went on the trip, and during the journey, the bike overheated while on the road, was having trouble starting a few times...and was still making noise.
I took it back in to the dealer when we got back, had a tuner, high flow air cleaner, and oil cooler installed.... no change, same problems, no codes.
She went back in for complete teardown at the dealership.
**result**
My inner crank bearings, cam, cam bearings had all failed, sending metal through the engine, flywheel, and oil tank. it is requiring an entire engine overhaul, replacement of all seals and engine related bearings. plus, my clutch cable is leaking.
Parts failure. nothing I did. I have change my fluids on schedule religiously for the last 26,000 miles....since I acquired her at a mere 1,300 miles.
...at least the mystery is solved. $$$$'s, unfortunately, no warranty.
I went on the trip, and during the journey, the bike overheated while on the road, was having trouble starting a few times...and was still making noise.
I took it back in to the dealer when we got back, had a tuner, high flow air cleaner, and oil cooler installed.... no change, same problems, no codes.
She went back in for complete teardown at the dealership.
**result**
My inner crank bearings, cam, cam bearings had all failed, sending metal through the engine, flywheel, and oil tank. it is requiring an entire engine overhaul, replacement of all seals and engine related bearings. plus, my clutch cable is leaking.
Parts failure. nothing I did. I have change my fluids on schedule religiously for the last 26,000 miles....since I acquired her at a mere 1,300 miles.
...at least the mystery is solved. $$$$'s, unfortunately, no warranty.
You say the bike overheated - what is this based on?
Also, how did the cam chain tensioners look? Did they fail, cut off oil flow, which then grenaded the other parts?
Sorry for your headache and $$$'s, but at least you can rebuild it and have a pretty bomb proof motor for many years of happy riding.
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TriGeezer
Milwaukee Eight (M8)
6
Nov 14, 2017 07:18 PM