To those who suggest we do our own work on our bike, I need some advice. (And yes, I do have the service manual. LOL)

The bike is a stock '07 FXSTC with just over 10K miles. No previous mechanical issues, no leaks or other issues evident.

Symptom (Hard to tell if noise is present when riding, but am able to hear it when stationary as follows): Start the bike in neutral, clutch out, no noise. Pull clutch in, no noise. Put in gear, clutch in, no noise. Let clutch out slightly while in gear to put some tension on the drive train, no noise. Pull clutch all the way back in and shift back to neutral, no noise. Let clutch back out while in neutral, lots of noise. Pull clutch in and out the noise will fade in and out as the primary chain rotates/stops.

Not sure how to describe the noise other than like it always sounded only 100x louder. Not a grinding or high pitched howl. Almost a loud "swirling" sound.

I did stop by the dealer. The service manager thought it could be a problem with the chain tension block (From the sound, I tend to agree). He had a seasoned mechanic listen. This guy stated last time he heard a sound like that, it was a bad bearing. He was pointing near the back of the primary, near the tranny. (Don't recall exactly which bearing, said something like idle, or float, or take-up, or something like that.) Both agreed that it was not a normal sound.

Here's where I need the help: The chain block issue would appear pretty straight forward. The bearing issue I need some further information on as to which one he would be talking about. Also, would any special tools be required to fix either. Would I need to go deeper than the outer primary cover?

I have worked on quite a few vehicles when I was younger, don't really enjoy it like some people. I either have or have access to most standard tools, including bike jack, torque wrenches, etc.

I do not want to spend unknown, big dollars to have the dealer fix (not under warranty), nor do I want to pull off the primary cover looking for something that is not easily identifiable or that may require special tools.

Any insight to share?

-stef

 

other than normal wear all is covered under warrenty..take it to a dealer have them check it out if there is an issue its covered..having them listen and look at it is free..why take the chance of voiding the warrenty..

ride safe

 

If its still warrantied, for sure its on them. If the time is up, pull the outer primary and take a look. There are 2 bearings at the rear. One in the inner primary that supports the clutch hub, and the other is the big output bearing on the xmsn. They usually last awhile cause they both run in a pretty oily environment. Clutch could be loose on the shaft, compensator could be loose, adjuster could be malfunctioning. If one of the bearijngs goes, you usually get a small oil leak cause the shafts arent concentric with their seals anymore, they wallow. Much can be seen for the cost of the gasket to pull the primary.

 

Purchased bike new in May '07 (3+ years), over 10K miles, and no extended warranty purchased- any repairs will be on my dime.

 

"xmns" = transmission?

Are the two bearings easily accessible without special tools needed to replace? Need to go any deeper than parts accessible after removing the outer primary cover?

I'm confident I'll be OK going in with the manual for reference, just like to know before tearing things apart how involved/complex it might be. (I tend to over plan and hate surprises.)

Any other constructive thoughts/ ideas would be appreciated.

-stef

 

There is a little bearing on the right side of the transmission, under the end cover. It is the throw out bearing. You may want to check that, since it is related to your clutch lever pull. You will need to replace the gasket once you remove the cover. Do you use Syn 3 or Formula in your transmission? I have seen a few bearings fail when running those thin fluids, especially the formula. I like semi synthetic gear oil, 85-90 weight in my transmissions. Good luck, TJ

 

It is unfortunately time consuming and requires 3 or 4 special tools to replace those bearings, too much to touch on here. If you glance through the manual,lt will list hd special tool part numbers, but Jims, Georges Garage, and ebay have them too.

 

Have been using Syn3 since 1K. The sound definitely seems to be from under the primary cover rather than the right side, but I will try to look into the idea of the throw-out bearing.

-stef

 

Update:

Currently have the primary cover off. Chain tension mechanism and everything else looks good visually. Not sure if there is a way to check these bearings short of pulling everything apart, perhaps replacing them just in case.

Ideas anyone?

-stef

 

It sounds like a mainshaft bearing. To check that you go for drive and get it hot then drain the tranny hot and look for flakes in the oil. If its the main shaft bearing eventualy you will get a leak at the drive pulley on the trany side once the bearings make the shaft wobble. I hope its not but it happened to me and many others here.