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:

Two clunks? What's up with that?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 08:28 AM
  #1  
RoadHog659's Avatar
RoadHog659
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Default Two clunks? What's up with that?

Been riding without a helmet lately (I know, I know - that's a subject for a different thread), and am just getting used to all the miscellaneous noises that I haven't heard before from my 09 Ultra. One clunk when I shift gears - that one I understand, clunky transmission typical of a Harley. But what's with the 2nd clunk when releasing the clutch lever? That one's got me a little concerned. Just had my 10,000 mi. service which included clutch adjustment, but have heard the 2nd clunk before that anyway. Sounds like it's on the left side, same general area as the first shifter clunk. Is that normal, or any ideas what I should be checking?
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 09:36 AM
  #2  
gbinman's Avatar
gbinman
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Highland Village, Texas
Default

With my recent move from a 03' FLTR to a '11 Ultra Limited, I noticed a big clunk (with helmet) that I didn't have or was much quieter on my FLTR. I think it is the compensator.

I found I could make the clunk also by rolling back on the throttle and then back on too.

I hope it's normal.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 09:37 AM
  #3  
joe mayo's Avatar
joe mayo
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Appleton Wisconsin
Default

good question. i hear the same thing on my 09 and never heard the 2nd clunk on the 05.
i have not talked to the dealer about this yet
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 09:57 AM
  #4  
Daddio's Avatar
Daddio
Tourer
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
Default

...likewise on the "clunks" both the 1rst and 2nd one ...most concerned and very noticed on the 2nd "clunk" (2010 Limited) when letting clutch out after shifting through each gear...
Never seemed to happen on my '05 Ultra.

Would certainly like to hear opinions on what this is?
... or if it happens to a lot of you out there?
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 11:57 AM
  #5  
Bodean46's Avatar
Bodean46
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 9
From: Southern Illinois
Default

Sounds like the primary chain may need adjusting.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 12:09 PM
  #6  
Guntoter's Avatar
Guntoter
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
Default

Primary chains have a self adjuster on 07 and later so there should be no adjustment. If I had to guess, I would say it is the compensator sprocket compressing its springs all the way when you let the clutch out. These 96" compensators seem to be no end of problems.

Supposedly the 2011 Touring models use the Screamin Eagle compensator but since Harley called it a "running change" it is possible early 11's don't have it. Or possibly it is only on the 103" engines? Who knows until you pull the primary cover and see for sure.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 12:12 PM
  #7  
Faast Ed's Avatar
Faast Ed
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Default

Sure don't sound like something that is supposed to be there.

I'll be following this thread to learn more about it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 02:06 PM
  #8  
roadgliderick's Avatar
roadgliderick
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 5
Default

compensator!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 04:01 PM
  #9  
rjs1's Avatar
rjs1
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Default

I have a '10 RKC. Have the same double clunk going on. Have had it pretty much since day one. You aren't alone. Mine only does it when changing from 1st to 2nd. it just feels loose and sloppy. The bike only has 1500 miles on it now. The 2nd(and always less pronounced) clunk sometimes happens at the moment of shifting and, at other times, is slightly delayed and happens as I'm letting the clutch out. I'm a mechanical know-not but sure have learned lots on this forum. I'm just gonna have the SE compensator installed when I get a chance. Maybe that will cure all of my ill's(which includes the intermittent whirring/roaring sound from the left primary side as well as that damn ticking sound that I can't isolate). I'm just validating your concern. Unfortunately, I have no advice to offer.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 05:13 PM
  #10  
Faast Ed's Avatar
Faast Ed
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Default

is slightly delayed and happens as I'm letting the clutch out.
Yeah, that does sound a bit like compensator.

(which includes the intermittent whirring/roaring sound from the left primary side
That sounds a little more like the tensioner adjusted itself too tight. Also not uncommon.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:11 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE