Regulars here may remember my "New Pipes on Monday" post last week. I got the bike back today and the sound is great, better than I expected. The crisp throttle response is a nice bonus, too.

On the ride home, though...I noticed a noise coming from the bike I had never heard before (no, it wasn't the louder pipes!) It was a loud whine I assumed was coming from either the clutch housing or drive belt. I couldn't tell because with the windshield on, and on the road everything sounded like it was coming from the front of the bike. The sound was there anytime I had power to the bike in 1st through 4th gear. In 5th, the sound went away. I pulled over at a gas station to check everything out and was surprised when I could not get the bike into neutral. I'd tap the shifter down to first, try and bring it back up, it would "clunk" into 2nd. After rocking the bike back and forth, I finally got it into neutral. I shut everything down, and went into the gas station for about 5 minutes.

When I came back out, I started the bike and got back on the highway. Everything was fine again. However, once I got back to where I had to downshift, the sound came back. Going 35 mph in 3rd gear...roll on the throttle--hear obnoxious whining sound...roll off, sound goes away. Now, here's the kicker.

Remember, I said I thought the windshied was amplifying the noise...turns out it was. I removed the windshield when I got home and took the bike out again. I could still hear the sound, but I don't think I would have noticed it had I not been listening specifically for it with the windshield off. Also, the bike was going into neutral just fine now, too. What bothers me is, I've ridden the bike enough with the windshield in place to know I've never heard that sound before. I mean it really sounded LOUD...above what I perceived the pipe noise to be. I'm wondering if the dealer missed/messed up something during the 1K service. I did go synthetic with the fluids, but I wouldn't think that would have anything to do with it.

I'm going to monitor this over the weekend...if I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling by Monday, I guess I'll put Harley's warranty service to the test. My biggest worry right now is just getting the bike to make the same noise for the technician. I'll keep y'all posted.

 

I do remember your post, I'm sorry your first experience with your new pipes was like this...

For my money I would take it back to the dealer tomorrow and ask one of the mechs to ride it. Something doesn't sound right, and he might know immediately. These things never get better with time...EVER. Why chance it?

Mac

 

Mac is telling you right but I no that the windsheild will make the noise in front of the engine sound louder than it really is but as for the whinning noise if it didn't do it before then it shouldn't do it now, so take it back and get it checked.

 

A too tight belt could cause the whine. That would be the first thing I checked. There should be about 3/8" deflection at 10 pounds of pressure. HD make a gauge for this. Since the dealer just messed with it, take it back and let them figure it out.

Regards,

Bill

 

And post pics of the new pipes and all.

 

Well...I found the problem. The first thing I checked was the primary chain housing. Plenty of oil and about an inch of slack in the chain...everything good there. So, I move around to check the transmission (my 14 year old son proudly astride the bike and holding it level for me)...and no oil![:@] The dealer didn't refill my tranny with oil during my 1K service. Now, I've been extremely happy with this dealer from the sales department to the parts counter to the service counter...but that was a tough pill to swallow.

The good news is, the service manager and shop foreman went out of their way to square things away (like they had much choice) and I'm happy again...plus I'm pretty sure I'll get A-list treatment at that service department from now on...

Just so you know...a FLHRCI holds about 24 oz. of oil in the tranny. I had to put 20 ozs. in to get it to FULL. Yeah, it was a little low.

As for posting pics...I'll try and get some this weekend.

 

Well thats good news....How many alarms have ya set off

 

Unbelievable. They make manuals with STEPS that guys blow off because they do it all the time, figure they got it, don't need the manual. That's what checklists are for. We actually see this with the guys that work on our helicopters from time to time. Thank goodness they made it right.

Mac

 

I hardly ever look at a manual, it interupts my creative thinking,,,,,, LOL

 

LOL. Guys at work that fix the helicopters are the same way, none of 'em look at the manual, they do the same thing over and over, but there are usually 3 more guys that are making sure they did it right at the same time. No such thing in your average mech shop. Poor guy was probably working on two or three jobs at once and had customers coming in and interupting him at every turn. Checklists are good for that stuff...

Mac