Hey all and thanks in advance for any info you might have.

The other day I took my 2003 Screamin Eagle Deuce out for a quick ride and the engine was knocking a little bit.
I figured I got some bad gas. Unfortunately I had to cut my ride short for other reasons.

- So yesterday I decide to go out for another ride. I start her up and the engine still has a steady but light knocking sound.
I ride to the gas station and put in some 91 octane. (I always use 91 octane and it is the highest we get in California.) But I assumed if I got some bad gas, filling it up even though I still had 1/2 tank would bring up the octane rating.
- let it be noted that I filled up at a different gas station so it is highly unlikely I got bad gas from two stations.

After a few miles, the engine was still knocking but it seemed to be getting worse. I figured it was time to "OPEN UP the engine" by going full throttle a couple times to redline. Figured it would help clear whatever was causing the knocking.

Right after I opened her up in first and second gear, I stop at a light and the knocking has gotten even worse, the scoot is not running right at all. I drop her into first and roll on the throttle. *** THIS IS WHERE THE REAL PROBLEMS BEGIN*** It sounded like metal grinding on metal, or even like there was a screw knocking around in the engine that prevented me from reving above 3000 rpm. It was a real bad feeling hearing that noise and the bike not allowing me to accelerate past 3000 rpm. It was one of the worst noises I have ever heard. Like trying to shift an 18 wheeler without a clutch.
-- I should note that my clutch is fine. Has a good friction point and no slippage. I don't think it's the clutch. besides I don't think a clutch would cause the engine to knock. Same thing with the flywheel. Is it the timing??

Fortunately, I was about 1 mile from home and I limped her home in first and second with just a dab of throttle. If I tried to input more throttle, the GRIND would come back, and it wasn't just a noise, the bike was not letting me accelerate...

ANy thoughts on what this is? I'm going to limp it in to the HD dealer tomorrow, it's about two miles away. But, since the bike is new to me, I'm a little nervous..

I am pretty sure the knocking noise and the metal grinding are related problems.. Maybe one is collateral damage from the other?

Luckily the bike is under warranty but I want to be prepared for what the problem is,....

Thanks,
B

 

Man "B",

I don't know, but it sounds bad. Sounds like something broke loose in the engine. Get it to your dealer's fast and I wouldn't ride it anymore until they take a look at it. Keep us up on things.

Good Luck
[sm=biker2.gif]

 

sounds like maybe your compensator sprocket nut came loose

 

Ok,

She goes in for exam on Wed.. Lets hope it's nothing too bad..

I'll keep you posted..

Thanks,
B

 

Exactly. Check to see if your copensator bolt came loose.

Mac

 

so whats the verdict ?

 

Hey Guys,

Sorry for the delay in my response, I took a cross country trip in a cage and just got back to my computer. The drive took me from Miami to Los Angeles with a couple fun stops in-between.
Drove through New Orleans... It's really sad there. The place is almost completely abondoned for 20-30 miles. There is a one inch layer of dirt/sut on everything. Abandoned cars, furniture on the roads, a really bad smell. It was like driving into a war zone. I have a new found feeling/connection to all those refugees that lost everything.

- The rest of Louisiana was pretty normal though. Ate some crawdads on the bayou and chowed down on some gator as well. Ate some Texas BBQ as we headed further west..

Then, made a vacation out of a few day layover in Sedona Arizona. Went to EagleRider with my bro and rented a Heritage Softail and an UltraGlide. It was a little chilly but we clocked about 175 miles on a one day tour of Arizona. Went to Jerome, Flagstaff and some other cool spots.
We then repeated ourselves in Las Vegas and rented some more scoots. This time it was two Dyna's. A Low Rider and a Wide Glide. (Was my first time on a Dyna...) I really like Dyna's now, there so damn smooth and easy..

So, back to the original post. While I was in Sedona got a call from Harley. FXDXSteve, you were right. It was a loose compensator nut that came loose. Evidently an easy fix. However it still cost me $150 even though I have an extended warranty. Did you know that Harley Davidson warranty does not cover analysis of the problem or adjustments??
I thought that was kind of strange. I would have assumed something like this would have been covered by HD and a no fee fix would have been done. But nah.. I had to pay..

The good news though.. The scoot feels better than EVER...

Thanks for the help...

Best,
B

 

I never had bought a new harley, so i don't have any exp. with HD warrenty...but that doesn't sound right with the fee. Any time I have taken any of my cars in uner warrenty, there was never a fee....hope they weren't living up to theri name Stealers!!.

Glad to hear your back on the road and I am envious as hell on that road trip you went on.

 

pretty expensive compensator nut replacement,they should have known right away what was wrong