Clunking sound.
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Joined: May 2018
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From: PA
Clunking sound.
So Saturday I was taking the bike back to the garage when I heard a clunking sound. Sounded like a wrench spinning around and hitting the bottom. I didn't lose power and gears seemed to change ok. It did that for about 10 seconds and then stopped. The gears seemed to use less force to change tho. I took the derby cover off to see if I could see anything but the clutch is in the way. One thing I did notice. when in neutral the bike doesn't move freely. Almost like the brakes are on. When its running and in neutral it doesn't move like when in gear. Anyone have any ideas what may have gone wrong? Guess I'll have to take the primary cover off to see if anything is laying in there. Hopefully a simple fix if it is. And hopefully not the transmission. But like I said it left me go the 1/4 mile to the garage and still shifted ok. Just wanted to see if anyone had a clue before I start taking covers off that I don't need to.
2008 Electra glide Classic
2008 Electra glide Classic
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From: Houston, Texas
The 08 first gear can take a lot to get it going and what you describe sounds like the compensator. I've had the same thing on my 08 RKC. It's nothing you have to fix immediately but it will slowly get worse over time. I know others will disagree but I wouldn't worry about it right now. It may not happen again for many many miles. When it starts clunk occasionally, start thinking about getting the compensator replaced.
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From: Honah Lee
Since I have no idea how the bike has been treated, not saying what it is but you now seem to think it's hard to push. In neutral, it's probably not the compensator. Maybe the transmission or wheel bearing or caliper. Jack it up. Do some simple external checks before pulling things apart.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 11, 2019 at 06:10 AM.
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Joined: May 2018
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From: PA
So i needed to replace primary oil anyway so I took the cover off today. Nothing laying inside and everything seemed tight. I think the being in neutral and not moving was a false lead because today I noticed the back tire was low. I think that was the not moving issue. So maybe compensator starting to go out? What happens when it quits? Is the bike dead in the water or compensator just gets noisy? ANd the reason I couldnt find compensator in the manual is because they call it a compensation sprocket.Guess I'll just drive it and see what happens.
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From: Honah Lee
It is rare it truely fails. The drive fingers on newer versions where not heat-treated deep enough ( probably poor quality steel that was later case harden in a furnace with no oxygen and a special introduce of a fluid that vaporizers and is absorbed into the surface layer. Takes time to go deep. That hard layer tears out and gauls. It makes a gravely sound at idle. It is not going to leave you setting. It cannot slip. Something in transmission would break before you actually broke compensator.
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