Harley Davidson Dyna Glide: Why is My Bike Rattling?

This article applies to the Harley Dyna Glide (2000-2015).

Unfortunately, rattling noises are a very common problem found on all types of Harley motorcycles. There are a number of reasons as to why this happens, and sometimes it is due to a worn part or even a loose bolt. Some riders like to chalk it up to the vibrations of the actual bike itself, while others inspect every nook and cranny they can to find the source. We have taken the liberty of pin-pointing some of the more common causes as to why your bike may be rattling, along with the solutions you need to stop it for good.

When you are diagnosing strange noises on your ride, always make sure to check the simple things first, such as the headlight screws. You can even use a stethoscope to help narrow down the source of the problem. We often like to assume the worst and expect the most complicated things when it comes to problems like this, which causes us to overlook the quick and effective solution.

Step 1 – Check your headlight

The headlight ring screws might be loose.

How nice would be if you hear a terrible noise on your bike, only to find out it is a loose screw on your headlight? Well, in actuality, this is a very common problem that occurs on Dynas and many different types of Harleys. Sometimes the screws loosen due to road vibrations, or they are just not tight enough from factory. The result is a very loud rattle coming from the front of the bike. To fix this, locate each screw on the headlight housing and tighten them. Some of the low strength thread lock can be used to be doubly sure they stay in.

Step 2 – Check your motor mounts

Motor mounts do wear out, or just loosen up with time.

This problem is similar to the headlight issue, as it deals with more loose hardware. The causes are also similar, because the engine vibration can just loosen the motor mount hardware up to the point of it rattling. However, the mounts themselves can become too worn. Dyna chassis bikes use a motor mounted to the frame with rubber mounts, and over time they can break down and allow the motor to jump around in the frame. Whatever the cause, there will be a distinct rattling noise being heard from the front of the motorcycle.

• Place your bike on a stand.
• Access the front motor mount.
• Inspect the mount for movement.
• Tighten the motor mount bolt if possible.
• Replace the assembly if it is worn.

Step 3 – Check your drive belt

The belts are relatively trouble-free, but can fail.

Belts tend to make all types of weird noises when they begin to fail, and rattling is certainly a very common symptom found on rear drive belts. Unfortunately this is one of the worst things that can happen to your bike, as its repair is very labor intensive and does require you to have a bit more knowledge than the average enthusiast. For a detailed how-to, see the article How to Replace Drive Belt.

• Place the bike on a lift so you can rotate the tire.
• Place the bike in neutral.
• Make a mark on the belt with a marker.
• Rotate the tire and inspect the inside of the belt for any missing or damaged teeth.
• Rotate the tire again and inspect the outside of the belt for any cracks, fraying or damage.

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