Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Primary problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 02:46 PM
  #1  
The Nev's Avatar
The Nev
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Sulphur, LA
Default Primary problems

Hope somebody has a suggestion . I’m leaving for Sturgis Thursday so I decided to change all the oil today before heading out on a 5000 mile trip. When I drained the primary oil it smelled burnt, I have been hearing a kind of whining sound when the bike is real hot. The battery is good, seems to be charged so I don’t think it’s the stator. What else could it be, clutch pack is where the smell is the strongest but I don’t have the outer primary off. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 02:50 PM
  #2  
nemick's Avatar
nemick
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 7
From: Indianapolis
Default

Need more information here. Age of bike, current oil used, time since last change of oil, etc. etc.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 02:56 PM
  #3  
The Nev's Avatar
The Nev
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Sulphur, LA
Default

Sorry I guess I was a bit distracted with trying to figure this out.
2006 Ultra 28,000 miles harley primary oil last changed 25,000 miles I would not have normally been changing it but wanted fresh oil for the trip.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 02:59 PM
  #4  
nemick's Avatar
nemick
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 7
From: Indianapolis
Default

Hmm, there's not much reason for it to smell burnt unless the clutch has been slipping. Have you noticed anything like clutch slippage and when did you start hearing the new whine? When was the clutch last adjusted?
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 03:06 PM
  #5  
twincam47's Avatar
twincam47
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 634
Likes: 8
From: Plum & Nearly
Default

H-D Formula + tends to smell that way after a few hot miles.
Adjust the clutch, fill her up and ride.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 03:06 PM
  #6  
dougbk's Avatar
dougbk
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 20
From: Greater St Louis, MO
Default

Burnt smelling primary oil is usually from slipping the clutch. I have changed it on police bikes after a training course and it smelled like burnt wood. I would change the fluid adjust the clutch and forgettaboutit.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 03:06 PM
  #7  
The Nev's Avatar
The Nev
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Sulphur, LA
Default

clutch was adjusted at 25,000 when the oil was changed, haven't noticed any slipping. I started noticing the whine maybe a couple of thousand miles ago and only when its really hot. It almost sounded like an 18 wheeler whine but not as loud of course but that kind of noise. Noticed more when the clutch was pulled in slowing down, but then the bike is to loud to hear it any other time.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 03:09 PM
  #8  
The Nev's Avatar
The Nev
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Sulphur, LA
Default

Thanks for the quick reply's I did re-adjust the clutch and I think I'm going to do as you all suggested and fill her up and head out. Thanks again !
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 25, 2010 | 06:36 AM
  #9  
The Nev's Avatar
The Nev
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Sulphur, LA
Default

Well two weeks 5280 miles and no problems, so looks like you guys were right!
 
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2010 | 07:55 AM
  #10  
mainshaft's Avatar
mainshaft
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Default

Thanks for the post run follow up post..
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:56 AM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE