2007 Softail Heritage Classic, 96ci. I bought it four mos. ago with 17400 miles. Now has 21500 miles. From the get go, there was a whirring noise in the primary. It's normal, I was told by a Harley "mechanic". Not long ago I got a second noise, coming from right behind the derby cover. The whirring changed with RPM, moving or stationary. This other noise is a roaring, like a bearing noise. It is speed dependent and does not change with RPM. I can kill the engine and with clutch depressed OR in neutral with no clutch, the noise is still there. I picked the bike up, no bearing noise from either wheel. When I run it with rear wheel off the ground, I can still hear it, again it changes with MPH. I kill it on the stand, rear wheel spinning, still hear it behind the derby cover. Same "mechanic" said inner primary mainshaft bearing. I replaced it. Replaced the seal too. I put the snap ring in with the oil hole for the bearing between the ends of the ring like the shop manual says to do. No change. The "flywheel" (that gear that the starter engages!) had rubbed on the inside of the primary case, between the comp and the clutch. The primary case had previously been removed and when it was bolted back on, one of the alignment bushings got crunched between the primary case and the engine. Also, the nut on the clutch didn't feel tight enough when I removed it. The comp bolt didn't either. I just know when I torqued them going back on, I put a LOT more effort with the torque wrench on both the nut and the bolt. I used a homemade locking tool made out of copper bar. Soft enough to not scar the sprockets, rigid enough to work great. I very carefully went back together. Had about 1/16" of clearance between the flywheel and inside of primary case, maybe even a tad more. Bottom line, whoever put it back together had the chain too tight. They didn't completely collapse the tensioner and let it self adjust. It was too tight. My whirring noise is gone. The comp side of the tensioner is visibly more worn than the rest of the pad, but not too bad. Still a little over half the thickness left on the worst part. The "bearing" noise is still there. Any ideas? The pic is of my primary with the copper locking bar. The nearest dealer is 90 miles away. Talking to those guys, they sound like a "replace it and see if that fixes it" crew anyway. Help...

 

If the bearing noise is speed dependent, it may be the big ball bearing that supports the main drive gear. You will have to remove the pulley and the oil seal to get a look at the bearing.

Suggestion: when making a long post, break it into paragraphs, makes it much easier to read for guys with old eyes

 

Will do Dan. My eyes are 50+ so I know where you're coming from.

So that bearing would make noise even with engine off (or on) and coasting?And absolutely no noise when sitting still whether idling or revved?

I'll get to my shop manual and find that bearing.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll post when I find the solution.

 

The big ball bearing supports the main drive gear, the main drive gear is the part that the front belt pulley is mounted on. The only time the main drive gear spins is when the pulley and rear wheel are spinning.

 

Alright Dan...good call. Mine is a roller bearing that presses into the side door of the transmission case. Whatever yahoo had the bike before I did tried to replace it and appearently didn't seat it all the way. Found a good shop in south Alabama about 100 miles from me and they replaced it for just under $400.00. Could have been much worse if that bearing had come apart. I'll take it. I didn't want to try to pull the race off the primary mainshaft that the mainshaft bearing seats to. Those guys made quick work of it. Thanks again Dan.

 

CORRECTION: The service adviser was wrong in what he told me. I looked at the detailed list today and it was the inner main primary bearing. Actually the bearing was ok, but the race wasn't pressed all the way up on the shaft. I missed that when I replaced the bearing. Doesn't matter...it sounds great.

 

Boy I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard of this problem on many factory 6 speed bikes I would be rich. Lets see what problems there are the six speeds. Poor compensating motor socket set ups. Transmission inner primary bearings, automatic primary chain adjusters and more. My 02 with over 94K still has the same compensating sprocket set up same transmission inner primary bearing and I see no need for a automatic primary chain adjuster as you only have to adjust it about every 20K miles if that.

All so the first 6 speeds had all straight cut gears and many made a LOT Of noise. I know I am going to get a lot of flack but I personalty would not own anything with a stock factory six speed for many reasons not only drive train. This comes from a person that has been riding and working on Harley s none stop for over 42 years. Bad problem is many thins Harley does on the twin came is not better just cheaper and easier to assemble!!!! If I had it here I would figure it out but hard to call a doctor and say my toe hurts what wrong. Sorry and good luck.

 

I have an 09 Heritage with the 96" motor and a 6 speed. I have an annoying noise in 5th gear that is from the way that gear is cut. It is only in 5th gear and it took some getting used to when I first got the bike. I have noticed in the last week that I have a sound from the primary that sounds like brake pads rubbing. It happens at about 28 to 30 mph with clutch engaged or not and with motor running or not. Maybe it is similar to your problems, that gives me a starting point.

Is the sound you are referring to in 5th gear by chance?

 

No, it was throughout the gear range. Now I'm getting another...a different sounding "bearing noise" but only when warm. I'm wondering if the mechanic tightened the clutch and comp bolts tight enough?

I've replaced the rear wheel bearings...I did have a bad bearing there. Still have the noise and only when warm. That shop is 100 miles away. I wonder too if they put oil back in the primary. Easy check there.

Rode a 99 Road Star for 12 years and I just didn't want to put the money into it to keep it going. Clutch was going out, wouldn't charge, front rim bent. I was excited to get this first Harley. Not so much anymore.