Out in Sturgis, arrived late due to work, rode hard to get here in 1 day. Bike performed flawlessly on the way out. 80 plus MPH on SD freeways, 38 MPG no problems. Day 2 iron mountain road, needles highway, custer, downtown Sturgis again no issues. Today badlands, then back to spearfish canyon. 90s in temp today. Noticed bike "clucks" when taking off in first gear. This is a new noise. no adverse affect on performance, no other new noises, just this slight "cluck". I checked all the obvious things, something like a heat shield rattling, or bouncing off a floorboard. sound seems to be coming off the right side. does not sound like compensator.

Fresh 3 hole oil change 1500 miles ago, along with filter, running a jagg 10 row oil cooler.

Any thoughts?

2010 Road Glide, 96 engine, 15K miles, Andrews 48 cams (installed 3000 miles ago), PCV, SE adjustable push Rods, new lifters, Screamin' Eagle Chisel Extreme Billet Air Cleaner, V&H true duals and python 3.5 slip ons.

 

Did you run over a chicken?

 

Brake pad(s), neck bearing, or maybe a loose primary chain?

 

Why did he cross the road? He was asking for it.

 

Years ago, I had the same clunking on a Sporster. It turned out to be the sprocket bolts were loose, and were being sheared off. Ruined the mag rim and rear pulley.

 

Rubber isolator on the exhaust under the saddle bag?

 

Does it vary with rpm or speed. Is there a metallic ring to it, a muffled tick, tick, a hard knock, any vibration in time to the noise? Does it seem to repeat with each wheel revolution, more than once per revolution? Have you shaken and pulled/pushed on the tour pak, saddle bags and everything else attached to the bike? Does it come and go with harmonics of vibrations? The rubber cushions supporting the back end of the mufflers usually chirp but I suppose they could cluck just for Sturgis. I have had lid keepers and latches squeak at one time or another. Any loose stuff in saddle bags or tour pak?

 

No did not hit a chicken

Never thought of brake pads.

Neck bearings adjusted 10k ago, they seem fine no decel shake.
Primary chain could have stretched. Will see if i can get the auto adjuster to ratchet up a notch.

Doesnt vary with rpm, noticable only on take off, no other time does it appear. Not on upshift or downshift.
Its rained for last two nights so all squeeking noises are minimized.

Sound appears to be right (exhaust) side oriented.

Primary chain best suggestion so far.

Muffled tick sounds about right. No hard knock. Engine is smooth at most rpms. Really smooths out at 80.

No weird vibrations does not occur with wheel rotation.

 

Are you sure it's not the cam reversion your hearing through the breather? It's most notable at take off and lower RPM's than any other time.

 

Same exact thing happened to me on my old sportster except it caused the rear wheel to lock up! Not a safe situation.