Hey everyone!

I have a '99 FLHTCUI with 26k miles and I need a little help: I went on a 75 mile interested ride, and when I pulled off the interstate as I got back into town there was a loud "whine" that sounded like it was coming from my primary. It was consistent through all gears (including N) and it gets louder/worse with increased RPM.

I pulled the primary cover off and the chain tension itself looks okay and within spec; however, as I was looking everything over I noticed that the front bolt on adjuster shoe was loose. Loose enough that I can rock / wiggle the shoe up and down. I bent back the tabs and I tightened both (2) of the shoe bolts down tight. As I was bending the tabs back to lock into place I had a thought about torque specs and now I'm second guessing myself!

Is there supposed to be any play at all in the shoe itself? I would appreciate anyone advice / help with these torque specs! If there is not supposed to be play in it, do you think that would be the cause of my bike sounding like it has a dang super charger on it?!

I have been shopping for a service manual online, but I am not having any luck. If anyone has a link for purchasing one that would also be greatly appreciated!!

This is my first Harley (found it with 12k miles!) and this problem has really cut down on my wind therapy time this summer! I have hardly ridden and that needs to change before winter hits 😭

Thank you in advance! Any information will be GREATLY

 

They should be tight, I have never had to touch mine in 174,000 miles. Always take the top adjuster nut off bolt and taken the whole thing off with the chain there is a spec for that nut in the manual. Good and tight should work for the shoe it self.

If there is a whine coming from that chain then it is to tight, there is a hot and cold spec . Seldom need adjusted when set correctly

 

I cannot positively ID the chain as the culprit as of now, but I hope it is. I didn't intentionally loosen / tighten either of those two shoe bolts, I noticed that the bolt was loose when I was measuring my chain (I have about 5/8" play) and I notice the shoe move just as I was finishing with my third spot check.

The compensator nut seems to be tight, the clutch basket does not have any movement, and there are no other noticable signs of concern that I can spot. However, that is not saying much as this is my first time having the opportunity to work on a TC88. I could be missing something that isn't going to show it's ugly face until it's too late... That's when I'll say "JFC, how did you not see that..."