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Jul 23, 2011 | 11:56 AM

rkoivisto

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,437

Likes: 80

From: currently an Okie

Primary Noise

I've got 53K on my 08 StreetGlide and lately there has been a noise out of the primary at around 3K RPM's. It seems to be worse when it gets hot.

I've had a SE compensator in it for about 35K miles.

I took the primary cover off and everything looked OK. I read the manual to see how tight the primary chain should be, but it doesn't really say how much slack should be in the chain.

When I grabbed the top center of the chain, I could move it a good 1/2" with little effort. Does anyone know if that is too much?

The noise it makes is a kind of chatter. That's the best way I can describe it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Randy

Jul 23, 2011 | 01:10 PM

vtwinbob

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 552

Likes: 2

From: Florida

if everything else looks good,did you check your primary chain to see if it had any kinks? I've seen that a few times.

Jul 23, 2011 | 01:33 PM

lowprofile

6th Gear

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

I have a 2009 ultra with 8500 miles. I also have a noise coming from the primary and it gets worse when it is hot just as you stated. My noise goes away if i pull the clutch in. I stopped by the dealer and he told me he believes it is the inner primary bearing. Whatever it is, extended warranty will cover it.

Jul 23, 2011 | 01:34 PM

rkoivisto

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,437

Likes: 80

From: currently an Okie

Chain

The chain looks good. I pulled the cover again and scoped it all out one more time.

Don't think it's a loose chain issue. I'm beginning to think it's a compensator problem.

I've heard of the SE comp failing. Anyone out there had one fail? What were the symptoms?

Does it make noise prior to failing?

Thanks

Jul 23, 2011 | 03:41 PM

JollyRogers

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 928

Likes: 2

From: Near Richmond VA.

Mine does this exactly, started ~ 2K and has done it since. Notice it when it is hot more often and when I am 2 up. I also pulled my primary cover off and everything looks OK. 1/2" play in the top I believe is spec BTW. It could be the compensator I guess, but I checked its torque and it was OK. I do not believe it is the inner primary bearing though. Seeing as it is still under warranty and my last bike made a very similar noise, I just ride it. It can be annoying when I have my lowers on though. IT does not do it under heavy load, only when applying a little throttle to say make an incline. I think it is just the compensator wears in some, then chatters on the ramps because it is not so to speak. If you figure it out, let me know.

Jul 23, 2011 | 05:23 PM

navyman

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 900

Likes: 1

From: Cincinnati, Ohio

Same here on my '08 with 54,000 miles. It is louder when cold and goes away when hot. It has been doing it for at least 40,000 miles. It has been to the dealer twice and told it was normal. I even told the dealer that it is out of warranty and I am willing to pay for fixing it, but he said normal. So far so good.