When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have an '11 SG w/ a 103" motor w/ low miles. When I feather the clutch to inch forward at a stop light and pull the clutch in quickly, I get a single slap noise from the primary. It does not happen when I simply pull the clutch and let it out in neutral. Only if I engage it and then pull it in quickly. It started all of a sudden. I'm thinking primary chain tensioner. It shifts fine. Anybody have any insight to confirm or refute what I'm thinking? BTW, I'm running Redline Primary Oil.
I have an '11 SG w/ a 103" motor w/ low miles. When I feather the clutch to inch forward at a stop light and pull the clutch in quickly, I get a single slap noise from the primary. It does not happen when I simply pull the clutch and let it out in neutral. Only if I engage it and then pull it in quickly. It started all of a sudden. I'm thinking primary chain tensioner. It shifts fine. Anybody have any insight to confirm or refute what I'm thinking? BTW, I'm running Redline Primary Oil.
Chain could be loose & need adjustment? I'm an evo guy so probably not the best judge of this one here.
I think you should be able to replicate that noise stopped in gear at will. Just let the clutch out a bit and pull in a few times without moving. Not sure what the noise is but mine does it too. I took it to harley when I got my bike in 09 and the guy said its normal (standard answer Idk) but I have had my inner primary off and replaced with chrome and didn't notice anything unusual and that was 15k miles later. Have had the other side off several times too when I changed clutch cable to braided lines. No issues either. Have about 19k on now and everything still looks good.
It could also be the compensator. It is loaded when you let the clutch out some and the compensator sprocket has moved in the loaded clockwise position then when you pull the clutch the load is released all the way and it will snap back in the unloaded direction and makes the clank you are hearing. You have an automatic chain tensioner and it also could be ready to take up slack and let the chain slap the case. I doubt this is the case as it would leave a marks.
You have the SE compensator, I installed one on my 08. The only time I got noise was when I tried ATF in the primary. My theory is it was too thin. How does the Redline viscosity compare to both ATF and 20-50 engine oil? My primary is relatively noise free with 20-50 in it. The clutch was more prone to "stick together" with 20-50 or 20-60 so I now am running Motul 10-60 and am getting the better of the 2 options. The primary is reasonably quiet and the clutch is not as prone to stick together as with any of the 20- oils.
I had the old compensator And installed the new SE one. I use redline in my bike as well. I have run HD fluid too. The noise is the same with both fluids. I think ke5rbd has the right idea about the comp.
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
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.
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.