After a inner primary leak...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
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From: California
After a inner primary leak...
After the repair of an inner primary seal leak, along with a new automatic chain tensioner and a switch to Syn 3 in the primary, I'm getting a new and very distinctive and annoying noise that increases with engine RPM but only while in motion. Sitting at a stop with either the clutch engaged or disengaged, no noise. When I took it back to the shop, they said it was normal and when I complained that it wasn't there before the work, I was told that my bike was 'really quiet' compared to other bikes like mine.
I ran Syn 3 on a 2003 Ultra I once had and had no noise issues. Would either the change to Syn 3 or replacing the chain tensioner, which I believe is the same as OEM in 2010, cause this? It's very distinctive, increases and decreases with a change in RPM, and is most noticeable at 3,000 RPM, but is audible as low as 1,100 RPM.
The noise is hard to describe, but reminds me of an old Singer sewing machine that needs oil.
I ran Syn 3 on a 2003 Ultra I once had and had no noise issues. Would either the change to Syn 3 or replacing the chain tensioner, which I believe is the same as OEM in 2010, cause this? It's very distinctive, increases and decreases with a change in RPM, and is most noticeable at 3,000 RPM, but is audible as low as 1,100 RPM.
The noise is hard to describe, but reminds me of an old Singer sewing machine that needs oil.
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; Mar 15, 2015 at 12:07 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Cleveland Zoo
From posts I've read, your shop could be correct and it is normal noise when using Syn 3. I think the newer bikes work (sound) better using Harley Formula +, maybe yours could use some. Red Line and others also make good stuff.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
Change from syn to formula plus in the primary
Seemsed to decrease the noise
Replaced the clutch with a Barnett and changed from formula plus to atf
No noise
Believe the issue was clutch related
But not certain
All i know is noise is gone
Seemsed to decrease the noise
Replaced the clutch with a Barnett and changed from formula plus to atf
No noise
Believe the issue was clutch related
But not certain
All i know is noise is gone
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
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From: California
Only weird thing is that my bike never sounded like this, from day one. Changing a part out with what I think is the exact same part as originally in it shouldn't have done this, and them changing to Syn 3 (which I didn't ask for) shouldn't have done this either. I had a 2003 Ultra that I changed over to Syn 3 in everything and had no noise issues or complaints.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
Only weird thing is that my bike never sounded like this, from day one. Changing a part out with what I think is the exact same part as originally in it shouldn't have done this, and them changing to Syn 3 (which I didn't ask for) shouldn't have done this either. I had a 2003 Ultra that I changed over to Syn 3 in everything and had no noise issues or complaints.
Based on your thinking the noise should not be there.
Something has to change to make it better, oil is easy.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
I will never run Syn3 in a primary again. Harley has changed the compensator several times over the past few years and it seems that although stronger than the older compensators, it has more moving parts and seems to be much more sensitive to the viscosity of the fluid. I had that issue with my '14 FLHTK, put the Formula + back in and the noise stopped immediately. Could your issue be something else, maybe, but I would start with the primary fluid change. Yea they say you CAN use Syn 3 there but it just doesn't do the job any more.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: California
I will never run Syn3 in a primary again. Harley has changed the compensator several times over the past few years and it seems that although stronger than the older compensators, it has more moving parts and seems to be much more sensitive to the viscosity of the fluid. I had that issue with my '14 FLHTK, put the Formula + back in and the noise stopped immediately. Could your issue be something else, maybe, but I would start with the primary fluid change. Yea they say you CAN use Syn 3 there but it just doesn't do the job any more.
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; Mar 15, 2015 at 04:41 PM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
Formula + is thicker than Syn 3. Formula + is NOT an engine oil and not designed to be put there. Formula + IS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY FILL on everything but the CVO bikes. Harley puts out a lotta hype about Syn 3 and it's great in the motor but there are other lubes much better in the primary and tranny. You CAN use it there but that doesn't mean it's the best performer there.
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