| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
Ever since I got my bike back from Stone Mountain, I've noticed a slight, random "kalunking" sound that seems to be emanating from underneath the new primary engine cover. I haven't mentioned it to them because I wasn't entirely sure it was a new noise... I tend to be paranoid about such things, so I thought maybe I was just hearing things. But I'm pretty convinced now... there's a weird random something clunking together as the bike vibrates at idle. I can't hear it at speed, only during idle, and it's easier to hear once you move away from the bike (up close the exhaust note almost drowns it out). Any ideas what this could be? It sounds like heavier pieces, or very solid hollow pieces. The sound seems to be coming from underneath the cover, but it could possibly be coming from the new swingarm (both were replaced after that old guy hit me a few months back). I would pull of the cover myself to look for culprits, but I have absolutely no idea what I'd be getting into or what's involved. Hell, I don't even know if I have to drain the oil for that.  ~SM | ||
| Spiderman |
is it random or steady? | ||
| Cycleaddict |
sounds like a loose primary drive sprocket... (crankshaft nut) | ||
| Swordsman |
Random. Hmm... loose primary drive sprocket. That would be quite the bad thing. The shop wouldn't have had to mess with that just to replace the cover, would they??? ~SM | ||
| Glitch |
no they wouldn't since you went to SMHD&Buell, why worry yourself over it? give 'em a call, and take it in for them to check it out. those guys are great, and stand by their work. paranoia sucks, have 'em take a look so you have one less thing on your mind, so you can enjoy the ride | ||
| Swordsman |
Yeah, that'd be nice to do, but it's a 4 hour round trip and my schedule's pretty booked on the weekends. Not to mention the traffic this time of year. I doubt I'll be riding any more for awhile anyway... too freakin' cold, since I don't have the gear for it. What is involved when taking off the cover? If it's not a big deal, I may give it a look myself, just for curiosity's sake. I trust StnMtn, it's just terribly inconvenient to make the drive. ~SM | ||
| Spiderman |
Don't take the cover off if the sound is random. A steady loud CLACK, CLACK, CLACK (kind of like two hammers hitting together) Would indicate a loose nut but being a random clunk means something else. Before you start tearing into the bike try to isolate the problem. Check all kick stand mounting points get her up on a rear stand and check the swing arm and mounting points. Check the front motor mount make sure the isolator didn't fail. Isolating the problem will only save you time and money in the long run... | ||
| Reepicheep |
If it is a loose stator cup / crank nut, it will go away when you load up the clutch slightly (even without the bike moving). It has kind of a "ring" to it as well. | ||
| Chrisb |
I would check the primary chain adjustment first. | ||
| Typeone |
A steady loud CLACK, CLACK, CLACK (kind of like two hammers hitting together) Would indicate a loose nut but being a random clunk means something else. i agree. if its the crank nut (mine came loose) it will be very steady and LOUD at idle. turning down the idle a tad will make it even louder but it will be steady. mine was more of a KLUNK/CLACK  good luck. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"I would check the primary chain adjustment first." Do this before you do anything else. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Sword - I have the same bike as you and had the exact same problem. This was a known issue for bikes made during a certain time. See this thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/204690.html PM me with your VIN & I'll check how close the bikes were made. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
Check slack in chain first. Loose compensator nut on primary drive sprocket shaft second. I had this problem at around 3400 miles. It started as an intermittent clunk, soon followed by a constant banging noise. I thought I had blown the engine. Turned out to be a loose nut. I would call up the dealership and insist that they come get it since it's so far and they released it to you in this condition. | ||
| Swordsman |
Tx, interesting. Mine has right at 4000 on it, so this may be the case. I'll give them a call after I check the chain. Jersey, dunno' if you looked at my profile for year model or not, but it's an '06 Long. I'll have to dig up the VIN when I get home. Thanks for the offer! EDIT: Jersey, just looked at your profile... didn't realize you had the same bike. Like I said, I'll dig up the VIN!  ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on December 08, 2006) | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Swordsman, at about 4ooo miles my '04 at idle had a clunking/clacking sound. I checked the primary chain and it was WAY loose. I tighened it by the eyeball/feel method, and voila...no more nasty noise. | ||
| Swordsman |
I checked in the factory service manual to see how to do the primary chain adjustment, and it says I should put a new gasket on when I reinstall the inspection cover (yeah, it's even bold in the book). Is that really necessary? I haven't pulled it off yet, so I don't even know what kind of gasket it is... I would assume it's rubber and actually reusable(?). ~SM | ||
| Typeone |
Swordsman, i've reused them before but get a little seeping afterward. they're sorta 'puffy' when new and compress when installed. not sure what the material is but its not rubber. (Message edited by typeone on December 11, 2006) | ||
| Xring |
I've never replaced that gasket and have had the cover off 5 times now. Not even a seep. Good luck, Bill | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
Mine leaked too. They are a dollar fifty or so at the dealer. If you HAVE too you can add a little gasket sealer to both sides, just a THIN film will do the trick but I would buy new gaskets, and buy a few!! | ||
| Spatten1 |
A buck fifty for the primary cover gasket? The big one? I just paid $18 from Cometic. | ||
| Typeone |
Spatten, no, they're talking about the small inspection cover gasket. both that one and the clutch inspection are only a few bucks each. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Yeah, I've popped that little on out many times with a razor blade and re-used it. It seeps a little, but so do a few other things on the bike, so why sweat it? | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
My inspection cover gasket doesn't leak, and I've had it off nine times (primary fluid changes/chain inspection). | ||
| Swordsman |
I'm sure this is a terribly dumb question, but humor me (it doesn't mention anything about this in the service manual). I don't have any stands for my bike... am I gonna' spill oil all over the place if I pull the inspection cover off while the bike is leaning on the kickstand? ~SM | ||
| Glitch |
no, you'll be ok | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
Place a block of wood under the kickstand that will make the bike more or less level, the fluid should be below the insp cover just a bit when the bike is level. | ||
| Glitch |
the inspection cover to check the primary chain is the upper one. the oil level is well below that opening. no need for a block | ||
| Kdan |
The oil should be just below the clutch inspection cover when it's on the stand without a block. That's the one that looks like a keyhole. | ||
| Swordsman |
Cool, got it. Hopefully I'll get the chance to look at it tonight! ~SM |
