Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

First problem on my Breakout

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2013 | 04:03 PM
  #1  
HRCH's Avatar
HRCH
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Default First problem on my Breakout (updated with video)

I had about 1K miles on my Breakout and started to hear an awful grinding noise whenever I turned the ignition switch on. The grinding noise is so loud that it feels like something is going to break. The fuel pump on my Breakout used to make a high pitch sound when it was priming. The bike runs fine though. I drove it around for a few minutes but I can't hear the pump over the running engine. Once I got home, I turned the switch on, and the fuel pump was grinding. Sounds like she's sick. I'm impatient because the weather was finally nice so my wife and I went on a 200 mile run. After about 2 hours or so of riding, turn the ignition on and the fuel pump sounded fine. Normal priming noise. Thought all was ok. I even stopped a couple of times on our ride just to check for any pump noise and all was still ok. I got home, shut the engine off. I let the bike sit for a couple of hours, and still the pump was quiet. However, this morning after the bike sat overnight in my garage, I turned the ignition switch back on, and wow, the fuel pump is grinding away. That sux. It's kinda weird how the fuel pump primes fine when the engine is hot and its so awful once the bike gets cold. I know what's going to happen when I take it to the dealer. I'm going to ride the bike there and the fuel pump is not going to make any unusual noise because the bike will be hot. Get it home, sit over night and crap, it will sound awful again. Is this bike going to break on me? Looks like I will have to take it to the dealer and leave it there overnight so they can try it in the morning. Oh, the noise in positively in the gas tank because I placed my hand under the tank, and that's where the noise is coming from. Fuel tank level doesn't seem to have an affect on it. The pump made that grinding noise either way and anytime the bike sat around for a while, like over night. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

thanks
 

Last edited by HRCH; Jun 10, 2013 at 10:33 PM.
Reply
Old May 28, 2013 | 04:09 PM
  #2  
FroggyFatBoy's Avatar
FroggyFatBoy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
Default

sounds like a bad pump to me. take it up the dealer and be prepared to leave it over night if you can't get it to act up warm.


also be prepared for the ol " they all do that" line..
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2013 | 05:35 PM
  #3  
tlb's Avatar
tlb
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,984
Likes: 8
Default

If you can use your phone to video the sound when you turn it on. Then the service department at least under stands the problem. You may have to leave it overnight, but the mechanic will know what you are talking about.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2013 | 08:12 PM
  #4  
ia2189's Avatar
ia2189
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 722
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines, Iowa
Default

+1 on recording audio on your phone. I had an issue with my furnace over winter where it would make odd noises at times but never when repairman was around. Recorded on my phone and he knew right away what the issue was when I played it. Replaced some parts and noise hasn't returned.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2013 | 08:22 PM
  #5  
HRCH's Avatar
HRCH
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Default

I can use my phone to record the noise from the pump. I just didn't want to be told "no problem found". The bike needs to be cold in order to verify the problem. I know the dealer will not have the part in stock so I will be out of my bike for about a week or more. I wish my truck was big enough to fit my Breakout I would just take it there so the dealer could easily say " yup, you need a new fuel pump". Order the part, take my bike home and ride it in when the part comes in.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2013 | 08:23 PM
  #6  
ia2189's Avatar
ia2189
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 722
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines, Iowa
Default

Repairs during riding season are a bitch for sure. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.
 
Reply
Old May 29, 2013 | 05:04 AM
  #7  
crawlgsx's Avatar
crawlgsx
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Maine, USA
Default

Bah that sucks, bad luck. Definitely get her back in for repair now before you get stranded though
 
Reply
Old May 29, 2013 | 08:15 AM
  #8  
CanuckWhiskey14's Avatar
CanuckWhiskey14
Tourer
10 Year Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Default

I recently just had the same issue i think ... I went to the run position and instead of the nice soft sound of the fuel pump it was a very loud noise ... I tried it again and it did it as well .. after a short run time it was fine and it has not done it since ??? I only have 344km on her
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 29, 2013 | 08:21 AM
  #9  
NDBadlands4-2's Avatar
NDBadlands4-2
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Default

Originally Posted by crawlgsx
Bah that sucks, bad luck. Definitely get her back in for repair now before you get stranded though
Recording the sound is genius. Make a appointment soon as it does get very hectic in there once the riding season is under way.
 
Reply
Old May 29, 2013 | 01:39 PM
  #10  
Ramboamt's Avatar
Ramboamt
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 3
From: Montclair, CA.
Default

Originally Posted by HRCH
I can use my phone to record the noise from the pump. I just didn't want to be told "no problem found". The bike needs to be cold in order to verify the problem. I know the dealer will not have the part in stock so I will be out of my bike for about a week or more. I wish my truck was big enough to fit my Breakout I would just take it there so the dealer could easily say " yup, you need a new fuel pump". Order the part, take my bike home and ride it in when the part comes in.
I would not do that as any other problem down the road pops up and the dealer would say that since the fuel pump was defective and you rode it anyway, after they looked at it, and they could use the fact that you rode it to deny any warranty claims even if it has nothing to do with the fuel system, just sayin.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:52 AM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE