When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
so last week I pulled my bike on the lift and installed a UltraCool oil cooler with a flo oil filter kit.
Really the install was easy, however once done I fired up the bike to let it run and I'm getting this whining noise coming from the primary (at least I think its coming from the primary). I cant tell if its coming from the front or the back of the primary. I think its coming from the clutch basket but my brother thinks its coming from the inspection plate area in the front. its pretty loud it reminded me of a car with supercharger on itr with that gear to gear whine. the noise slowly fades out as the bike warms up. once warm the sound is completely gone. but let it sit for 20 to 30 min and the noise will be back. I also don't see any change in noise if the clutch is pulled in or out or if I put it in gear.
I don't know if putting the oil cooler on has something to do with it or if its just coincidental.
My bike is a 97 Road King with 50k miles.
I don't ride hard and I change all 3 holes like every 3k miles. its a well maintained bike
my oil in the motor is now fresh and the oil in the Transmission is very clean looking, however the oil in the primary has this graphite color and looks pretty bad.. (which is less that 3k miles old)
I dont think your oil cooler install has anything to do with it- but i think you already know you should take the primary cover off and have a look. Since it doesnt seem to change with clutch engagement- id wonder about the primary bearing on your mainshaft. Or take a look at your tensioner. My 2 cents.
Yes, I will be pulling the cover. I hope I can get to it tonight. Ill be sure to keep the thread up to date. the noise has me nervous I hate to have to have major issue like burnt main bearing or something.
Well I got busy last night and I pinpointed my problem. I'm going to take this walk of shame to possibly help someone else and close this thread.
when I was installing the oil cooler I dropped and couldn't find one of the screws that bolts the sensor to the block. I pulled a screw out of my jar I have of extra stuff. The one I used was just a tiny bit longer. I remember when I put it on it screwed right in. Well it was too long and rubbing. Creating the noise.
Too bad I didn't find the problem till after I pulled the primary putter cover off and I pulled off the block portion of the altracool oil cooler. But I'm happy to know it was a stupid mistake and a easy fix now today i put it all back together and get back on the road.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
whining noise
