Engine Knocking
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Engine Knocking
Ok heres my issue.
I own a 2006 FLHXI with 15,000 miles on it and I completed a nice simple tune-up last night. Changed all 3 fluids, oil filter, plugs, and clutch inspection gasket, and primary chain inspection gasket. I also tightned my primary chain a little (per service manual) since it was loose. I just bought the bike used form a private seller and instead of taking his word for all the work said hey might as well do it myself.
Well everything went smoothly, toke the bike off the lift, and then toke it for a nice little ride before closing shop. Everything seemed nice, she ran smooth the whole time. While i was riding the bike home (earlier mentioned shop is at a buddys) i noticed a slight knocking coming from below me. I was only a block from home so continued home.
It seems the knocking is coming from around the clutch area of the primary. There is no knocking when the bike is first started and cold, but as it warms up it seems to get worse. My friend was saying my primary chain may have come loose but i will not be able to check it till Monday (work always gets in the way!)
I was hopiong maybe someone had an idea of what else it might be or if someone has had the same problem. The bike was running clean before the tune-up incase i didnt mention that.
Looking foward to some good tips!
I own a 2006 FLHXI with 15,000 miles on it and I completed a nice simple tune-up last night. Changed all 3 fluids, oil filter, plugs, and clutch inspection gasket, and primary chain inspection gasket. I also tightned my primary chain a little (per service manual) since it was loose. I just bought the bike used form a private seller and instead of taking his word for all the work said hey might as well do it myself.
Well everything went smoothly, toke the bike off the lift, and then toke it for a nice little ride before closing shop. Everything seemed nice, she ran smooth the whole time. While i was riding the bike home (earlier mentioned shop is at a buddys) i noticed a slight knocking coming from below me. I was only a block from home so continued home.
It seems the knocking is coming from around the clutch area of the primary. There is no knocking when the bike is first started and cold, but as it warms up it seems to get worse. My friend was saying my primary chain may have come loose but i will not be able to check it till Monday (work always gets in the way!)
I was hopiong maybe someone had an idea of what else it might be or if someone has had the same problem. The bike was running clean before the tune-up incase i didnt mention that.
Looking foward to some good tips!
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 572
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Worth, Texas
Ok heres my issue.
I own a 2006 FLHXI with 15,000 miles on it and I completed a nice simple tune-up last night. Changed all 3 fluids, oil filter, plugs, and clutch inspection gasket, and primary chain inspection gasket. I also tightned my primary chain a little (per service manual) since it was loose. I just bought the bike used form a private seller and instead of taking his word for all the work said hey might as well do it myself.
Well everything went smoothly, toke the bike off the lift, and then toke it for a nice little ride before closing shop. Everything seemed nice, she ran smooth the whole time. While i was riding the bike home (earlier mentioned shop is at a buddys) i noticed a slight knocking coming from below me. I was only a block from home so continued home.
It seems the knocking is coming from around the clutch area of the primary. There is no knocking when the bike is first started and cold, but as it warms up it seems to get worse. My friend was saying my primary chain may have come loose but i will not be able to check it till Monday (work always gets in the way!)
I was hopiong maybe someone had an idea of what else it might be or if someone has had the same problem. The bike was running clean before the tune-up incase i didnt mention that.
Looking foward to some good tips!
I own a 2006 FLHXI with 15,000 miles on it and I completed a nice simple tune-up last night. Changed all 3 fluids, oil filter, plugs, and clutch inspection gasket, and primary chain inspection gasket. I also tightned my primary chain a little (per service manual) since it was loose. I just bought the bike used form a private seller and instead of taking his word for all the work said hey might as well do it myself.
Well everything went smoothly, toke the bike off the lift, and then toke it for a nice little ride before closing shop. Everything seemed nice, she ran smooth the whole time. While i was riding the bike home (earlier mentioned shop is at a buddys) i noticed a slight knocking coming from below me. I was only a block from home so continued home.
It seems the knocking is coming from around the clutch area of the primary. There is no knocking when the bike is first started and cold, but as it warms up it seems to get worse. My friend was saying my primary chain may have come loose but i will not be able to check it till Monday (work always gets in the way!)
I was hopiong maybe someone had an idea of what else it might be or if someone has had the same problem. The bike was running clean before the tune-up incase i didnt mention that.
Looking foward to some good tips!
1: There is a hot OR cold adjustment for the primary chain depending on whether your bike is warmed up or not. Make sure you adjusted it to the right specs.
2: There is a spot on the primary chain where it is tighter so you have to roll it around to find that tight spot before you adjust the chain.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Doubt if it is a knock. More likely a primary chain slap. Pull inspection cover and check chain after rolling it in several places. Sounds like you either left adjuster loose or you slacked off the chain.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 572
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Worth, Texas
Since it only started AFTER you serviced the bike and adjusted the primary chain i highly doubt it is the comp sprocket. Just a missadjusted chain slapping in there.
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
How could tightening the chain cause chain slap from a previously looser chain? Unless the op actually loosened the chain or the tensioner slipped. Just wondering.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
A too tight chain would likely whine noticeably loud.
Something odd about this story. I can't wait to see what he finds!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
yeah if it is chain slap... the Op did something wrong... Like move the adjustor down instead of up, not tighten nut tightly, I dunno, I do know that the chain could not be tighter and then have developed chain slap.