2000 Heritage Softail chirping when hitting bumps?
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
2000 Heritage Softail chirping when hitting bumps?
I've been having a problem with the front end of my 2000 Heritage "chirping" may times whenever I hit even the smallest bump in the road.
I have pushed down on the forks and it doesnt appear to be coming from the suspension. I took it to a dealership and they did a test ride only to tell me that they werent sure what the problem could be and it would be necessary to get it up on a lift. Has anyone had a similar problem with this bike? I have a feeling I'm going to have to take it back to Harley but $$$ is a factor and I'd like to know if theres anything else I can try or at least send a tech in the right direction. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, scott
I have pushed down on the forks and it doesnt appear to be coming from the suspension. I took it to a dealership and they did a test ride only to tell me that they werent sure what the problem could be and it would be necessary to get it up on a lift. Has anyone had a similar problem with this bike? I have a feeling I'm going to have to take it back to Harley but $$$ is a factor and I'd like to know if theres anything else I can try or at least send a tech in the right direction. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, scott
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
Do you have tools? Start checking nuts, bolts and screws. Use your palm to start trying to duplicate the squeek. Gently start tapping on parts such as the fender, headlight and driving lites, headlight surround and trim rings and such.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
I have the same thing... only happens when just starting a ride so I'm figuring it is rust related because after it rubs some it quits chirping. I have been looking for quite some time, also. My noise is definitely in the front end. I have thought engine mount bolts but WD40 had no effect on the noise... let me know if you figure it out.
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: In the World
Make sure your head bolt it tightened to spec ... and hit the almanite with a 100 - 150 hits of grease ... and see if that gets it.
Stealerships are notoriously bad at diagnostics ... and I've seen many a new bike .. including mine come off the assembly line with loose head bolts and no grease on the bearing ... I'm surprised you didn't have a noise earlier ... mine came with what I call the "Harley Clunck" right off the showroom floor .. took it home .. got out the torque wrench ... tightened to spec and induced 200 hits of grease on the almanite on the right side of the head assembly as you look forward over the wheel ... no more clunck ... maybe your chirp is a variation on the clunck theme ...
Stealerships are notoriously bad at diagnostics ... and I've seen many a new bike .. including mine come off the assembly line with loose head bolts and no grease on the bearing ... I'm surprised you didn't have a noise earlier ... mine came with what I call the "Harley Clunck" right off the showroom floor .. took it home .. got out the torque wrench ... tightened to spec and induced 200 hits of grease on the almanite on the right side of the head assembly as you look forward over the wheel ... no more clunck ... maybe your chirp is a variation on the clunck theme ...
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: Frisco, Texas
That has usually been my find as well. Also torque down your pulley bolts again.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Make sure your head bolt it tightened to spec ... and hit the almanite with a 100 - 150 hits of grease ... and see if that gets it.
Stealerships are notoriously bad at diagnostics ... and I've seen many a new bike .. including mine come off the assembly line with loose head bolts and no grease on the bearing ... I'm surprised you didn't have a noise earlier ... mine came with what I call the "Harley Clunck" right off the showroom floor .. took it home .. got out the torque wrench ... tightened to spec and induced 200 hits of grease on the almanite on the right side of the head assembly as you look forward over the wheel ... no more clunck ... maybe your chirp is a variation on the clunck theme ...
Stealerships are notoriously bad at diagnostics ... and I've seen many a new bike .. including mine come off the assembly line with loose head bolts and no grease on the bearing ... I'm surprised you didn't have a noise earlier ... mine came with what I call the "Harley Clunck" right off the showroom floor .. took it home .. got out the torque wrench ... tightened to spec and induced 200 hits of grease on the almanite on the right side of the head assembly as you look forward over the wheel ... no more clunck ... maybe your chirp is a variation on the clunck theme ...
Others members though I was nuts.. but U have to fill the neck before any can be forced into the bearing if it wasn't done when new.
So I'd just say to grease till U hear the air (kinda like popping) and see a little grease coming out instead of a certain number of pumps as each grease gun puts out different amounts on each squeeze.
Then just wipe off the excess, may have to wipe it a couple times for a couple weeks.
I agree I think they hit it with a couple squirts when new, but it sure didn't fill the neck so any could get to the bearings.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Sons 07 Duece had a chirp.. as stated above it was the belt. The master wrench at the dealership gave him a little bit of belt dressing in a little tin and told him to put it sparingly only on the edges of the belt, not the whole belt.
Didn't make sense but it worked and ended the chirping.
Didn't make sense but it worked and ended the chirping.