Primary, trans, bearing?

[Knuckles]

I have a strange noise that is most noticeable at start up. almost like a grind or slow whine. it seems worse when the bike is warmed up. it's very loud at start up but seems to always be there at lower rpm's. hard to tell at higher rpm's because of exhaust noise.
I've done several searches and nothing described seems to be similar.
I did read five's description of a rod bearing failure... but mine seems a bit different than that too.
I guess the first thing to do is drain the primary and then take off the outer cover?
are there any tests I can do before that to narrow the possibilities?
was also thinking it could be the stator? I'm no mechanic, but not afraid to wrench a little as long as I have some instructions!
let me know what you all think. I likely will not have time to dig into it for a few days. just back from some time off spending a few days at Sturgis.
thanks in advance!

 

[Knuckles]

thought I should add done more info:
I've got 28,000 miles
little over a year ago did a cam upgrade, port and polish, bigger intake and exhaust valves, etc.
have the Tahoma battery and a rebuilt starter from WSW.
with that bike still has problems turning over, almost if it gets caught at the end of the stroke and can't keep it going. I manually press in the comp releases to make sure they are working. also always keep it on a tender.

 

[Knuckles]

was also thinking clutch hub but after reading several other posts, but no problems shifting and clutch seems to be adjusted fine. no slack in the lever.
anyone???

 

[Knuckles]

Hated to say it, but I think it is my rebuilt starter. Could it be a bad bearing inside it?
Took the outer primary off and hit the start button. Seems the sound is coming from the starter.

 

[Knuckles]

Primary chain seems a bit loose. about 15/16th play.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/rbil2011/bth_P8090056.jpg?t=1376100455

 

[Knuckles]

Teeth on starter seem fine. no visible wear.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/rbil2011/bth_P8090061.jpg?t=1376100461

 

[Knuckles]

The only place I do see some wear is the inside of the primary inspection bolts. Chain rubbed a bit.http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/rbil2011/bth_P8090064.jpg?t=1376100482
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/rbil2011/bth_P8090065.jpg?t=1376100481
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/rbil2011/bth_P8090066.jpg?t=1376100482

 

[Knuckles]

Another slight area of wear is a little rubbing on inside of primary cover.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/rbil2011/bth_P8090058.jpg?t=1376100460
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/rbil2011/bth_P8090059.jpg?t=1376100460

 

[Knuckles]

What else can I easily check?
Part of me wants to ride it until something breaks.
Reason I say starter is because it turns over real slow and makes the most noise (grind or whine) on start up.
Any suggestions appreciated.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/rbil2011/P8090056.jpg?t=1376100455

 

[erldawg]

Tough call without actually hearing it. Send starter out to Kap....WSW

Do not twist throttle while turning engine over

 

[Fat_Bastard]

Compensator Nut Loose?

What else can I easily check?
Part of me wants to ride it until something breaks.
Reason I say starter is because it turns over real slow and makes the most noise (grind or whine) on start up.
Any suggestions appreciated.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/rbil2011/P8090056.jpg?t=1376100455

Hi Knuckles,
Not sure of your noise but listen to this video:
If your noise is similar -- then see the rest of my "S&S 107 Engine Noise" (Rattle and Chirp noise thread).

... found loose Compensator Nut; removed it with about 10 ft lbs. of torque!!!!, caught it before major damage... Removed, cleaned, retightened nut with High Heat Red Loctite to 150 ft lbs. **

Thanks to "Dakotabos" and "Woodbutcher" to send me down the right path.

This video also convinced me of the potential fix since my "idle" rattleing noise was not quite as bad as this Harley; [which I believe also had a loose compensator nut] (see youtube link).

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayk4xg9gSS4]Harley Davidson Streetglide knocking engine - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Knuckles]

Tough call without actually hearing it. Send starter out to Kap....WSW

Do not twist throttle while turning engine over

WSW rebuilt my starter. Had it in about a year now. It Haas trouble turning over....

 

[Knuckles]

Hi Knuckles,
Not sure of your noise but listen to this video:
If your noise is similar -- then see the rest of my "S&S 107 Engine Noise" (Rattle and Chirp noise thread).

... found loose Compensator Nut; removed it with about 10 ft lbs. of torque!!!!, caught it before major damage... Removed, cleaned, retightened nut with High Heat Red Loctite to 150 ft lbs. **

Thanks to "Dakotabos" and "Woodbutcher" to send me down the right path.

This video also convinced me of the potential fix since my "idle" rattleing noise was not quite as bad as this Harley; [which I believe also had a loose compensator nut] (see youtube link).

Harley Davidson Streetglide knocking engine - YouTube

The engine sprocket nut is tight. Is that the sane as compensator nut?

 

[Fat_Bastard]

Compensator Nut Location

Hi Knuckles,
Yes, I think we are talking about the same thing (.. with primary cover off it would be the front most drive sprocket off the crankshaft) Compenster Nut holds the sprocket on, among other things: Compensater "Spring", etc

Not trying to overstate the obvious:
...but first time I had my primary cover off everything was and looked fine. Not until I realized what might cause the "noise" did I finally put a wrench on the Compensator Nut which was only firmly on from the old "locktite" (< 10 Ft lbs of torque, hand tight) -- then I realized that it was not tight enough for the "Compensator Spring" to work properly, hold the sprocket/stator cover, firmly, etc -- so all the rattle noise.

150 Ft lbs "check" requires you block the sprocket from moving and use a "red loctite" or equivelant to hold the Nut on tight, if you moved it at all either direction . The 2004 is known for this problem, so I have come to learn; not sure about the 2007's.

But then again maybe it is not the Compensator Nut? Sometimes the "Spring" wears out, then it wouldn't matter how tight the Nut is. I think a worn out "spring" would "clunk" more when putting the bike in gear and "clunk" when shifting...

 

[Knuckles]

thanks, I can shift fine. find neutral easy and clutch seems adjusted good. it was the front nut I tried to move but only had a thin piece of wood in there too hold things from moving.

 

[Knuckles]

I'm having a hard time isolating the noise. might help if my Damn pipes weren't so loud!!!
Last time my trans bearings went bad, the shop I used had a mechanics stethoscope. Is this the best method? can I buy one at a parts store? the shop is closed and the owner passed away. been doing my own work the last 3-4 years... but this may be over my head.
any help our suggestions appreciated.

 

[Brew]

Here ya go, they're cheap enough... :2thumbs:

http://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-stethoscope-41966.html

 

[Knuckles]

Here ya go, they're cheap enough... :2thumbs:

Mechanic's Stethoscope

cool thanks. might try to see if I can find one at am auto parts store locally. then if I can narrow it to the tranny, guess I'll be pulling it out and sending off to NY to be rebuilt!
Really hope it isn't trans bearings because I had it rebuilt about 14k miles ago.

 

[rulirini]

check the nut on the final drive pulley on the transmission.

 

[Knuckles]

will do