General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Flhtc Engine Noise

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 09:33 AM
  #1  
TorkMan's Avatar
TorkMan
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Atoka
Default Flhtc Engine Noise

Hi All! I have some engine noise which appears to be coming from lower part of engine. I've watched a few other videos and I'm thinking this could be possibly compensator nut or worn tensioning shoe. This bike is a 1991 flhtc and has 53000 miles on her. I'm having a little trouble pin pointing the exact origination of sound, but again, I'm thinking possibly front of primary. This noise started several weeks ago. I've changed oil hoping that would help some, but it didn't.

I've posted video on YouTube here, so hopefully this link will work: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dbnYSRKiQpw

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks
 
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 09:39 AM
  #2  
IronAss's Avatar
IronAss
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Default

I would recommend you take a look inside that primary. It's hard to hear the noise (for me anyway) on you vid. Start with the inspection cover (the little square one in the middle of the primary cover). Once removed it will allow you to see and feel the primary chain and tensioner.

Does the noise change when you disengage the clutch (pull the clutch lever in)?
 
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 11:04 AM
  #3  
TorkMan's Avatar
TorkMan
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Atoka
Default

I couldn't tell any difference with clutch pulled in. Sounds same in neutral or in gear. Of course more noticeable at idle and low speed. Road noise and pipes seem to drown out at higher speeds. And of course always turn radio on.
 
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 11:15 AM
  #4  
IronAss's Avatar
IronAss
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Default

Originally Posted by TorkMan
I couldn't tell any difference with clutch pulled in. Sounds same in neutral or in gear. Of course more noticeable at idle and low speed. Road noise and pipes seem to drown out at higher speeds. And of course always turn radio on.
Just keep the radio up as loud as you can so you don't hear it when the chain case explodes.
 
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 11:48 AM
  #5  
TorkMan's Avatar
TorkMan
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Atoka
Default

Thanks for advice on inspection cover IronAss. I'll check it out there first. Hopefully will be able to see something.
 
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 12:33 PM
  #6  
TorkMan's Avatar
TorkMan
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Atoka
Default

Well from inspection cover everything appears ok. Tensioning pad has very little wear and chain feels tight enough. Took scope mirror and looked at best I could towards front couldn't see any problems. So I guess only way to know for sure, is just to drop the case. Unless something better surfaces.
 
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 12:54 PM
  #7  
IronAss's Avatar
IronAss
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Default

Taking off the cover and taking a look would be my suggestion, if you are sure it's coming from the primary. Noise has a tendency to travel in a motor. They make a tool kind of like a stethoscope for isolating engine noises but a stethoscope would probably work just as well if you can get hold of one.
 
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 02:21 PM
  #8  
TorkMan's Avatar
TorkMan
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Atoka
Default

That tool or stethoscope would be nice, cause it will probably cost me close to $50 bucks just to drop cover by the time I replace gaskets and fluid. Then may not end up finding anything on that side. Well, on a good note, least that will be eliminated..... Sigh
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 02:39 PM
  #9  
HDmikie's Avatar
HDmikie
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 112
From: Florida
Default

From what I could hear it almost sounds like something is rattling. Have you checked your horn.......seems like it was bouncing around a lot in the video. Or maybe the intake cover is loose.
 
Old Jun 22, 2012 | 06:25 PM
  #10  
RutRoo's Avatar
RutRoo
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 507
Likes: 8
From: East Tennessee
Default

try using a wooden dowel.. sometimes using it as a stethoscope can help pinpoint a noise..cheap and worth a try..
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:09 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE