I have a 2011 Heritage softail with 10k miles. I was running mobile one in the engine and whatever harley oil the dealer put in the primary.
I just changed the engine oil to redline 20 50 and primary to redline primary oil.
Everything was running fine and it was shifting better (Had 100 miles on new oil) but the other day i reved it higher than i ever have to around 4600 rpm in 3rd and a very loud gear/chain screech between 4300 and 4500 rpm??

Now when it gets up to operating temp it has a loud freight train noise coming from the primary and a tick, starts around 2500

I dont know if this help diagnose it or not but if i pull in the clutch in while still on the throttle the noise does not stop.
If i pull in the clutch and let off the gas the noise stops
If i put it in neutral the noise stops and everything is very quiet.

And i dont know if this is normal or not but if im not running the RPMs a little high and i let off the throttle and get back on it to fast (not slowly roll back on) the bike clunks or jerks? it has always done this and my 04 sportster done it to.

In the end the noise isn't to bad but it didnt do it before so thats what worries me and i would just like to catch something before it breaks.
Ive tried tightening the primary chain by going 30 in 1st and slamming on the rear brakes a few times.

This may be all a coincidence- oil and revving high

I was thinking of taking the primary cover off this weekend but dont really know what to look for? any suggestions

Thanks-

 

Is your bike new or used? The only way to know for sure about the noise is to pull the primary cover and look at a few things. If it only has 10-12K miles on it I would suspect that the primary chain is too tight, due to the automatic tensioner. Check your service manual for the correct amount of slack (probably 3/8" to 1/2" of vertical movement). There may be no slack in the chain, which would put undue strain on all bearing surfaces in the engine AND transmission. It could also be nothing more than a simple clutch adjustment causing the clutch not to fully engage. With this low amount of mileage it would be unlikely that your tensioner shoes would be worn enough to cause that kind of problem, but stranger things have happened.

 

4600 RPM is not revving very high.
My Softail sees 6,000 RPM at least once a day, if not more.
Been doing that for years, too...

 

The bike had 4500 miles on it last year when i purchased it. I do adjust the clutch by the book when i changed the oil- maybe i screwed it up and should try to do it the Easy way listed in the tech forum section...

I will pull the primary cover off (looks like a 15min job) and check the torque on the compensator, chain tension, tensioner boot anything else?

Thanks for your responses

 

i figured it wasnt that high- didnt even hit the rev limiter.

May be nothing idk

 

on a bike that new I believe that i should start with the easy stuff first, take off the derby cover and confirm that the primary isn't over filled, if that's good try adjusting the clutch plates next. there are videos on youtube that will walk you through the process. that new oil could be causing the clutch to slip if it isn't adjusted right.

 

thanks ill give that a try
I didn't check the oil level after i changed it, just added 32 ounces (one quart) Per the manual

 

And by adjusting "clutch plates" you are referring to the clutch, by the clutch adjustment screw right?
Thanks

 

+1 on what hvac said above, auto tensioner could be a tick too tight kindof doubtful there is any wear in there yet.


Both my bikes do it and it annoys me to no end. I even hear what I think is the master link ticking every pass.


I've had the dealer listen to both and they are normal in their eyes.


Oh and big twin primary is 38 oz not 32 the trany takes 32 that's not going to cause a problem probly but Id make it right anyway. fwtw

 

Can i loosen the tensioner?
Manual says 32 ounce but it also said 3.5 Qts of engine oil and min didnt even hold 3- yes i drained it while it was hot

Thanks