Hey guys, new '17 FLSTN. I just had the 1000 mile done & went synthetic. I normally use another dealer, but was sitting at nearly 900 miles with a trip planned & my normal guys was oddly booked for two weeks.

At any rate, had the 1000 mile service & went to syn3, the next day like an idiot, I pulled up next to a buddy & overshot the off to ACC & two hours later was nearly dead. Buddy had a battery tender, so we pushed her to an outlet & sat there for an hour. It was only 800mah conditioner, so an hour isn't much juice, but it started. After letting it idle for a minute it started to idle very rough & the RPM's kept dropping to 900 - 920 & during this I would hear what I can only describe as a metal brushing metal sound, almost like a prolonged slap. It was definitely more like a rubbing knock than a grinding sound & throttling to 1050 - 1100 rpm made the sound go away.

Could a low battery cause something like this? Could the synthetic make it more pronounced?

Anyone experienced anything like this on an EFI & ABS softy?

Thanks.

 

It's in warranty, so take it to the dealer.

Oh yeah...FWIW...I wouldn't put synthetic in the primary. HD Formula+ is great,

 

I have been running AMS Oil synthetic in the primary since I've had my bike (8 years) and have had no problems.

 

Agree with TriGeezer about letting the dealer handle it under warranty. It sounds similar to the problem I had with the compensator sprocket...sounds like a knock at idle but clears up with increased throttle. Sprocket had loosened up; I removed it, cleaned the retaining bolt, added Loctite and applied the proper torque. Took about 30 minutes and has been fine since.

 

My owners manual for my 16 FLSTN says formula+ for the tranny and primary, not sure it makes much difference, like all the others said, I would take it to the dealer and have it checked.

 

The newer bikes are very sensitive to voltage. A weak battery can cause weird things with fuel injectors, sensors, ecm, etc... If the the rpm are low due to the above, you can get some compensator slap. Try fully charging batttery and see how she runs then.

 

The hydraulic primary chain tensioner may not be liking the syn. oil. I can hear my chain slapping around in there occasionally, going to the SC manual adjuster during my 1k.