counter balancer noise?

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May 12, 2010 | 07:36 PM

#11

Jackie Paper

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 38,527

Likes: 6,406

From: Honah Lee

Harley's little noises

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankT

I'm hearing a noise on my 09 fatboy 96B engine. Mostly hear it at idle and it almost sounds like something is rubbing back and forth. I did not notice this until after I upgraded my pipes and air cleaner. I am now hearing all sorts of noises that I did not hear before. I did the work myself so I just want to make sure that I did not screw anything up. I re-checked all of my connections and they are all tight. I was told by the dealer that this is the sound of the counter balancers and that I will hear it mostly when the engine is cold due to the fact that the chain between the two sprockets is loose until it heats up and expands. However I still hear the noise even after a few hours of riding. Anyone else hear this or is the dealer just blowing smoke?

Since the dealer gave you his blessing he may not have really know what it was but he should have heard enough Harley to figure it was OK. My guess is it’s the primary side. If you look at the balance shaft drive, it like the camshaft drive is pretty quite with no free play. I have had both sides off my bike. (see my albums) I run stock exhaust since I come in late at night and you can hear the loudest scrape noise from the left. I did have a python setup that looked like yours and you could not really here much. Get someone to cover your exhaust opens slightly with a heavy rag. You then will be better able to be sure were the noise is coming from. Most Harley after some miles will have a little run out in the primary chain. Mine is enough to have a noticeable difference between the tightest to the looses area. This creates that scrap/slap/tap type noise. With open exhaust most Harley owners never hear it. However most all Harley make it. Does not hurt anything. The primary chain drive is tough.

Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 12, 2010 at 07:38 PM.

May 12, 2010 | 07:48 PM

#12

Starcruzer

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

From: Tennessee

I hear it too.

Mine is more noticable cold. Is there a oil additive that helps? I barely have 2K on my bike.

May 12, 2010 | 07:49 PM

#13

chad pickens

Road Captain

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 522

Likes: 2

From: Bloomington Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tucson_Tim

I'm curious to know how the engine feels, solidly mounted without the balancers. Did you notice better performance without the engine spinning those two guys? I've heard about issues with the pressed on drive sprocket on the crank -- with slipping at high RPM. Some folks have welded the drive sprocket to the crank in a couple of places to keep it from slipping.

I have a balnced assembly. It shakes at idle like the touring or dyna models but once moving it's smooth. As smooth or smoother than stock. Throttle responce is great and it revs very quickly. The counter balancing assembly is quite heavy

May 12, 2010 | 08:55 PM

#14

Tucson_Tim

Tourer

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 426

Likes: 0

From: Tucson, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by chad pickens

I have a balanced assembly. It shakes at idle like the touring or dyna models but once moving it's smooth. As smooth or smoother than stock. Throttle response is great and it revs very quickly.

Cool.

May 12, 2010 | 08:57 PM

#15

chad pickens

Road Captain

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 522

Likes: 2

From: Bloomington Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankT

Sorry Frank back to the topic everyone

May 12, 2010 | 09:10 PM

#16

Book-it

Cruiser

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 105

Likes: 2

From: Missouri

I have 09 fb and mine makes same noise,I think it's coming from the front.
Im taking it in for a check up will see what they say.

May 12, 2010 | 10:35 PM

#17

Albreave

Advanced

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 96

Likes: 1

From: Delaware, OH

The engine noise from my fatboy is loud as hell. Sounds like a sewing machine on crack. My wife's dyna has some noise, but nowhere near as much. Most likely just some valve train noise on hers.

I posted this on a previous thread. Here's a picture of the counterbalancer assembly. You can see why it's noisy as all get out...