First off, I realize diagnosing something over the 'net isn't an easy thing to do...so thanks in advance.

I have an 09 Ultra with 12k miles. All of a sudden i'm getting a clatter/knock at idle. Almost like something is loose -like a heat shield- but I can't find anything loose. The sound seems to go away when given throttle, so it doesn't seem to be rpm related.

Running my ear up and down, I'd say it's coming from behind the derby cover.

Bike has had regular maintenance done.

Any thoughts on what I should do first?

Should I not ride it till this is figured out?

Thanks.

 

Under warranty, I'd take it in and have the dealer check it. While in there, I'd have them swap out the stock compensator for the SE compensator. Might be having an issue with the auto chain adjuster not ratcheting up and you could be hearing chain slop.

 

Mine was making a noise like a fairing bracket broke again. Pulled the outer fairing and, nope, not broke...

Found the exhaust bracket from the header pipe to the starter (the silver one) had broken and the pipe was hitting the primary cover. All better now...