Growls in a lean
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,067
Likes: 1,121
From:
Rather limited amount of information available about the bike.
We know: Street Glide, Growling noise when two-up, tire tread & pressure OK.
How big is the passenger? any chance that the rear tire is rubbing something under the fender?
Bearing ? , brake disk or pad rubbing ?, tire cupping ?, Tire rubbing under fender?
We know: Street Glide, Growling noise when two-up, tire tread & pressure OK.
How big is the passenger? any chance that the rear tire is rubbing something under the fender?
Bearing ? , brake disk or pad rubbing ?, tire cupping ?, Tire rubbing under fender?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 7,968
From: poway
What year, may be the rubber mounts between the swingarm and the frame. The rubber mount is behind the football shaped plate low and aft on the frame. There are 2 bolts clamping the plate to the frame and a center chrome plug to access the swingarm pivot bolt. Basically when the rubbers get worn the swingarm wobbles and when the swingarm wobbles you are throwing the vehicle alignment out. Maybe the growl is the final drive belt cogs rubbing aginst 1 side or the other of the rear pulley. I broke 1 of the plate bolts once pulling holeshots and wheelstands with the wife on the back. Start with the plate, check the bolts, then look at the rubbers.
As far as noise in corners, tires would be my suspicion.. Michelin Commanders (the first version) were real noisy in the corners even when in good condition. When wheel bearings go bad you can hear em when going straight too.
For sure, it's worth having someone look at it if unsure of the source..
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
Yes I see your point the tranny is fixed to the swingarm so my theory on the belt rub is wrong, but what about the rest of my post around alignment? Depending on the year, he should have a heim joint at the top of the engine to the frame and another at the front of the engine to the frame. Again when the rubbers fail the vehicle alignment is affected and when alignment is out, you get vibration, maybe growl.....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 1,541
From: Central Wisconsin
My 09 Street Glide did the same thing. Replaced front tire when it was worn, it stopped. 10k miles on the new one, and it started again. Replaced it when worn again with a Michelin Commander II and haven't heard or felt a vibration since.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
I have a slightly used set of Michelin Commander II's I would gladly sell..... Front and rear, couple K Mi max on them and they still look new. Loss of traction on dry roads scared the crap out of me so i went back to the 402's that i had used the 1st 50k mi on the bike. For me, the traction tradeoff for increased tire mileage was not worth the risk
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 7,968
From: poway
Yes I see your point the tranny is fixed to the swingarm so my theory on the belt rub is wrong, but what about the rest of my post around alignment? Depending on the year, he should have a heim joint at the top of the engine to the frame and another at the front of the engine to the frame. Again when the rubbers fail the vehicle alignment is affected and when alignment is out, you get vibration, maybe growl.....
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