Primary, trans, bearing?

Knuckles

Knuckles

Active Member
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

Knuckles

Active Member
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

Knuckles

Active Member
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

Knuckles

Active Member
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.
 
erldawg

erldawg

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

Do not twist throttle while turning engine over
 
Fat_Bastard

Fat_Bastard

Active Member
Compensator Nut Loose?

Knuckles said:
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
Click to expand...
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

Knuckles

Active Member
Fat_Bastard said:
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
Click to expand...
The engine sprocket nut is tight. Is that the sane as compensator nut?
 
Last edited:
Fat_Bastard

Fat_Bastard

Active Member
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...
 
Last edited:
Knuckles

Knuckles

Active Member
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

Knuckles

Active Member
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.
 
Knuckles

Knuckles

Active Member
Brew said:
Here ya go, they're cheap enough... :2thumbs:

Mechanic's Stethoscope
Click to expand...
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top