So, I've been riding my Heritage alot lately, and noticin all sorts of little noises. I've found some loose bits and wire tied up some connectors and fixed most of the rattles. But now I notice when the motor is warmed up ( dont notice it cold ) when I'm lugging it in low gear coming up the driveway, I get a clunking noise from front of the engine ( sounds more like left front but hard to tell) when I pull in the clutch it goes away. Im hoping that the only time it makes this noise , but not sure I could hear it over exhaust if it was happening at other times. Anyone else ever experience this or have an idea what it could be? I pulled the outer primary off but couldnt find anything obvious.
thanks

 

My first guess would be a loose primary chain, but I'm assuming you've already checked this if you've had the primary cover off.

 

Stop lugging it! Poor thing is complaining. If engine speed drops too low with a highish load then parts can no longer move smoothly. It's not easy to guess what the actual cause is, but see if you can change your riding style so it doesn't do it, like using a lower gear, or if in first slip the clutch a little.

 

Or your compensator sprocket bolt might be loose but Mr Brown gives good advice.

 

Thanks for the info, I did adjust the primary chain a little, it was a tad tight. It made the sound before and after adjustment. I did not check the compensator sprocket while I had it apart. I will do that tomorrow. The noise sounds like something is so loose that it would be obvious, yet I can't find anything obvious. Could it really be just from lugging it up the driveway in first? I can't say I can hear it at any other time, especially when cold but it sounds so awful it makes me nervous that I could do engine damage if I keep riding it.
thanks guys

 

You could do damage by lugging it. I always stay at 2K RPMs and up. Even if it doesn't sound as cool.