I have a 2003 Heritage 100th anniversary Model. 27000 miles. I went to the Americade Motorcycle Rally in Lake George NY and got caught in some rain on the way up from Jersey and also the next day for a couple of hours. Through the course of the week, I noticed this high pitched squeal coming from the rear of the bike (I think). I didn't change when I hit the brakes and it didn't stop when I applied the brakes either. The sound would slow when I slowed and speed up when I did. The bike brakes normally. It does sound like it's coming from the left side though.

I also noticed that my odometer and speedometer are off. While my brothers Harley's would read the same mileage on the trip OD and the speed would be the same, I would lose distance and would be driving slower than they would be. Meaning, at the end of a 138 mile ride, I would only be reading 134.5 miles. Speaking with my one brother on the SMH10 headset, he would be driving at 50 mph when my speedo would say 45.

I don't know if the two are related, nor do I know if the Harley's have a cable for the Speedometer or if it is electronic.

Either way, what do you all think is going on here?

Thanks a bunch,
Ted K.
Motorcycle Men Podcast
www.motorcyclemen.us

 

Sight unseen, and not able to see it, I'll venture to take a guess at the wheel bearings.

 

Harley said they couldn't find anything or hear anything. What?! On the way home from the dealer I could hear the noise plain as day. UGH... Anyway....

I noticed today that when I pull the clutch in the noise stops. Am I dealing with a tranny issue here? Low fluid or something of that nature? I just had the 30K service done a month ago and that should have been part of the service. Can't imagine it would be that but let me hear your thoughts.

TK

 

sounds like your clutch may be slipping. take off the derby and adjust it. takes ten minutes, cost nothing and may solve the issue.good luck

 

Just a dumb thought! Try using some brake cleaner, maybe there is a build up dirt.

 

A squeal...lmbo...most difficult thng for a tech to diagnose. Only happens when they're not around, huh? Be interestin when ya come back with the problem. My money say simple.

 

Okay, I replaced the rear wheel bearing. The noise continues. They Harley service tech says it's probably the Primary Bearing. At the same time they tell me that the brakes are down to 30%.

So maybe I'll do the brakes first and then see where it's at.

TK

 

Disengage the clutch and the noise stops?
Yup, very likely that it's the inner primary bearing.

 

It is a common problem with the 100th anniversary model. If you had the regular 2003 it would probably be ok.

 

How is your primary chain and your rear drive belt tension? Both of those unload and can cause squeals...