counter balancer noise?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 146
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From: Southern NJ
counter balancer noise?
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?
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 426
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From: Tucson, AZ
I believe the chain that drives the two counter-balancers (from the crank) has a hydraulic chain tensioner so I don't think the chain will be any tighter in a cold engine than in a warm engine.
NOTE: There are actually three sprockets: One on the crank and one on each of the two counter-balancers.
NOTE: There are actually three sprockets: One on the crank and one on each of the two counter-balancers.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 16
From: Peoria, AZ
I have and 08 FB and I think I have the same problem. Only it sounds more of a hissing sound. Seems like it comes from the front of the engine. One harley joint said it was the primary then asked if the bike was sill under warrenty (red flag went off) and another Harley place said it was the counter balancer and that his bike had the same noise. Going to another dealership next week end to get a third opinion. Mine makes the noise no matter what speed and it does it all day long.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 16
From: Peoria, AZ
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Tourer
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Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 426
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From: Tucson, AZ
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.
Last edited by Tucson_Tim; May 12, 2010 at 07:35 PM.