Here's a new one. Any ideas?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 328
Likes: 64
From: Nashville, TN
Here's a new one. Any ideas?
Took my '97 Fatboy on a short ride today and started hearing a loud random clanking sound when I was sitting at a stoplight. Only seemed to do it on idle as best I could tell, and it happened every time I sat at a stoplight. Engine didn't seem to run badly other than the loud noise.
Pulled into a gas station, poked around and couldn't see anything visibly wrong. But it sounded almost like there was a piece of loose metal in the heads getting smashed around.
Headed toward home and it kept doing it. Then it changed and sounded almost like a hissing sound that moved with the RPM's. Stayed like that for probably 15 seconds, then a quiet pop, and then totally back to normal.
Went down a few extra back roads, cranked the throttle, stopped a bunch of times and never could get it to make that sound again. It was like it never happened.
I recorded it idling at the gas station with my phone. Anyone have any clue what it might be?
Pulled into a gas station, poked around and couldn't see anything visibly wrong. But it sounded almost like there was a piece of loose metal in the heads getting smashed around.
Headed toward home and it kept doing it. Then it changed and sounded almost like a hissing sound that moved with the RPM's. Stayed like that for probably 15 seconds, then a quiet pop, and then totally back to normal.
Went down a few extra back roads, cranked the throttle, stopped a bunch of times and never could get it to make that sound again. It was like it never happened.
I recorded it idling at the gas station with my phone. Anyone have any clue what it might be?
Last edited by rainsong; May 29, 2020 at 06:15 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 328
Likes: 64
From: Nashville, TN
Side note: I repaired the bike last year after a wreck I was in. Had to replace the carb and air filter and put new head gaskets in. It's ran fine since, but I have noticed it coughs a lot more than it used to.
No idea if that could be related, but I've been meaning to get to the bottom of that or bring it in to my indie.
No idea if that could be related, but I've been meaning to get to the bottom of that or bring it in to my indie.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,114
Likes: 7,638
From: Poolville
Get some kind of mechanics stethoscope to pinpoint the sound.. Without being next to the bike it's hard to tell but..... I would definitely pull the Primary and check all bolts as well as the chain tensioner. Or even chain slap against the primary cover... It could also be the compensator spring??????. That type of sounds doesn't seem to sound like a typical top end sound... Doesn't sound good though....
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Get some kind of mechanics stethoscope to pinpoint the sound.. Without being next to the bike it's hard to tell but..... I would definitely pull the Primary and check all bolts as well as the chain tensioner. Or even chain slap against the primary cover... It could also be the compensator spring??????. That type of sounds doesn't seem to sound like a typical top end sound... Doesn't sound good though....
When it goes the sound is much higher pitched and way more pings.
OP I agree get a stethoscope or a long screwdriver to try and pinpoint your sound.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 328
Likes: 64
From: Nashville, TN
I'm about to take it out and see if I can get it to make the sound again. Like I said, the weird thing is it was completely consistent but then once it stopped it never did it again. After I got home, I sat in my driveway with it idling and throttling and could never get it to come back.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,431
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I hear a compensator or stator housing come loose or the splines stripped out, something knocking the primary. Coughing problem is an intake leak, it's sucking air somewhere. I's also check any motor mounts & adjustment links and heat shields and the exhaust, cracked broken pipes can make weird noises.
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 Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 328
Likes: 64
From: Nashville, TN
Weirdest damn thing. Just rode 80 miles (in perfect Tennessee weather btw) and it rode totally fine. No weird sounds, no loss of power, ran great. Even took the interstate back and got it up to 85 mph for a good stretch, which always takes a lot of throttle on this old hog.
Before I left, I took off the derby cover and primary inspection cover to peek in just in case there was something obviously wrong but it all looked normal. Checked all the obvious bolts and tried to see if anything felt loose anywhere.
Guess I'll just keep waiting to see if it happens again. If I didn't know better I'd think someone just stuck a wrench in my exhaust pipe yesterday when I wasn't looking.
Before I left, I took off the derby cover and primary inspection cover to peek in just in case there was something obviously wrong but it all looked normal. Checked all the obvious bolts and tried to see if anything felt loose anywhere.
Guess I'll just keep waiting to see if it happens again. If I didn't know better I'd think someone just stuck a wrench in my exhaust pipe yesterday when I wasn't looking.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 328
Likes: 64
From: Nashville, TN
Just to update, I rode another 270 miles yesterday and had no problems. Starting to think I somehow picked up something on the road that was rattling around and I just didn't see it.
I'm gonna double check one more time that there's no bolts or nuts missing anywhere, but hopefully it was just some kind of harmless anomaly.
I'm gonna double check one more time that there's no bolts or nuts missing anywhere, but hopefully it was just some kind of harmless anomaly.