Primary noise 2012 SG 103
Did your dealer fill it to capacity, or just enough to "see" the fluid through the derby cover hole? Because I have to wonder how many of these "noise" threads are really due to insufficient lube level in the primary case. Again, the service manual says 38 oz (wet) or 45 oz (dry).
My suggestion is to drain the fluid out through the drain plug and refill it with 38 oz of Formula+, make sure you put in 38 oz. That way you know for sure what's in there and you know that the level is correct. Take it out for a short ride, maybe 50 miles and see if the whine is still there. It'll cost you about $25 for the fluid and derby cover gasket, and you'll get a little riding in.
Mike
My suggestion is to drain the fluid out through the drain plug and refill it with 38 oz of Formula+, make sure you put in 38 oz. That way you know for sure what's in there and you know that the level is correct. Take it out for a short ride, maybe 50 miles and see if the whine is still there. It'll cost you about $25 for the fluid and derby cover gasket, and you'll get a little riding in.
Mike
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,275
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From: Highlands, NJ
Got to agree with above post. It's simple enough. I would just change out the primary fluid myself and see what happens. Clatter is normal, but never heard the whirring sound before.
I found Formula+ to be the best in the primary, and I tried quite a few.
I found Formula+ to be the best in the primary, and I tried quite a few.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,598
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From: Lansing mi
My 11 RK makes that same whining noise. I drained the fluid out through the drain plug and refilled it with 38 oz of Formula+ 2 times first at the 5000 mile service and at then the 10000 mile. I made sure to put in 38 oz, the whine is always there.
I have a Thread here about this and spent a lot of time on the Search Forum and some seem to do this but most don't. If it was a IPB it would stop with the clutch pulled in and in gear. Mine dose it all the time no matter what I do with the clutch or gears. So from what I can tell it has something to do with the stock chain tensioner. My dealer says every thing is normal. So I drove 128 miles to a dealer known to have good service and the manager drove it and said it's normal, some are louder then others.
So that's where I'm at now.
I'm now close to 15000 miles and it's still making that same noise. My warranty runs out this Dec. Just before that I will take it to my dealer and make a formal complaint on this just to have it on record. But from what I've seen on here looks like a after market tensioner is the fix. I don't know if leaving it as is, could cause a problem over time.
I have a Thread here about this and spent a lot of time on the Search Forum and some seem to do this but most don't. If it was a IPB it would stop with the clutch pulled in and in gear. Mine dose it all the time no matter what I do with the clutch or gears. So from what I can tell it has something to do with the stock chain tensioner. My dealer says every thing is normal. So I drove 128 miles to a dealer known to have good service and the manager drove it and said it's normal, some are louder then others.
So that's where I'm at now.
I'm now close to 15000 miles and it's still making that same noise. My warranty runs out this Dec. Just before that I will take it to my dealer and make a formal complaint on this just to have it on record. But from what I've seen on here looks like a after market tensioner is the fix. I don't know if leaving it as is, could cause a problem over time.
Last edited by GPHDXLC; Sep 6, 2012 at 10:25 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
My old 1996 RK Evo whined like this after installing the auto chain tensioner, which of course has been standard since '07 on touring bikes. I've seen no abnormal foreign matter on the drain plug magnet or in the primary oil, which I change every 5k with Castrol GTX 20w50. I may switch to Formula+ next time just as a test, but I wouldn't bet money on any improvement. The noise isn't the IPB in my case, as position of the clutch lever makes no difference.
Last spring I rode two 2012 bikes at a dealer demo ride, an SG and a Switchback. The SG was quiet but the Switchback whined like mine does.
The whine doesn't bother me and I just ride on, as what little I hear above idle is drowned out by the stereo. When I get to 60k I may pull everything out for an inspection.
Last edited by iclick; Sep 6, 2012 at 12:43 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
Seems it may take a few hundred miles before the noise starts.
My theory is that this noise is caused by an over tightened primary chain and it may take a new bike some miles before the automatic tensioner ratchets up to tighten the chain. Then you have the noise in the video, some not as loud but some just as loud.
Hows about it guys any more input ?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 127
The sound in your video sounded familiar. Several years ago I took my bike into the stealer for warranty work which entailed them pulling the primary cover off and pulling the clutch hub/chain off the bike. The next day when I got the bike back it was whining like yours is. In fact, it sounded like it had a turbo on it when it revved up. Anyway, I rode the bike home and the next morning I popped the primary cover off and loosened up the chain tensioner 1 notch. That 1 notch made a huge difference and the bike was immediately quieter without any of the whining noise. This may or may not be your problem but at least consider it. Diagnosing over the internet is a bit of a stretch sometimes.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
The sound in your video sounded familiar. Several years ago I took my bike into the stealer for warranty work which entailed them pulling the primary cover off and pulling the clutch hub/chain off the bike. The next day when I got the bike back it was whining like yours is. In fact, it sounded like it had a turbo on it when it revved up. Anyway, I rode the bike home and the next morning I popped the primary cover off and loosened up the chain tensioner 1 notch. That 1 notch made a huge difference and the bike was immediately quieter without any of the whining noise. This may or may not be your problem but at least consider it. Diagnosing over the internet is a bit of a stretch sometimes.
This is interesting as the dealer tells me it's normal and if I install a Harley Screamin Eagle manual tensioner it will void my warranty as far as any issues like bearings and such are concerned in the future.
They told me that even though the SE manual tensioner is a Harley part it would still void the warranty because it is considered a non standard factory installed part. So here we are with a fix for the situation that will cost me about $250.00 out of my pocket and then they tell me it will void my warranty .
I have pretty much had it with Harley and I can tell you that I will never buy another Harley because of these kinds of situations. Like I said they know the auto tensioner is making the chain too tight on my bike, but they say there is no fix for it that wouldn't void my warranty.
Last edited by P51Driver; Jun 3, 2013 at 05:39 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Whine
Well I'm glad my video was useful! I posted this out of sheer frustration at the Harley Dealers. It's amazing how they wont just admit what the issue is and what it will take to fix it. Mine became quieter after I adjusted the clutch last time, at least quiet enough that I felt I could live with it, but I recently replaced my primary oil and it came back louder than ever!! Based on everything I have read about the issue, I'm feeling that it MUST be the auto chain tensioner. I'm about to crack the primary and back the tensioner off a notch or two to see if that makes a difference. Will see how it goes! Sorry to hear about your warranty issue catch 22 situation...I can only imagine how frustrated you must be!