| Author | Message | ||
     Dtx |
I have a 2004 XB12R Firebolt that runs perfectly fine. However, recently I have been noticing a "clanking" sound coming from the bike that I CANNOT find the source of. At first I thought it was something real simple, like a fastener that backed off and it was flapping in the wind or something. I went over nearly ever inch of the bike (externally) and found nothing. After going for a short ride without a helmet, hoping I could hear it better, I now think that it may be coming from inside the motor or transmission. Is it possible that this clanking sound is the flywheel sprocket shaft nut that has been known to back off? When riding down the road, the clanking sound is quite random and seems to be more and more often. Like I said before, other then the sound, the bike runs perfectly fine including power, clutch engagement, shifting, etc... Any ideas? I have a track day on Monday and am wondering what to do! Thanks! | ||
| Jwhite601 |
Mine does exactly the same thing, sporadically knocking thud sound. I was also thinking the big nut coming loose. | ||
| Midknyte |
Not a clank, but (FYI), if it sounds like someone snuck a wooden marble into your transmission - you need to check your primary chain tension | ||
| Reepicheep |
If its the crank nut holding the stator bell on, you will hear a little ring to it, and if you lightly load the clutch the ringing will temporarily stop. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Mines does the same damn thing..scared the crappolla out of me until a buddy from harley said..."Get used to the noises, its a Harley". | ||
| Dtx |
It only makes this sound while riding. I am very familiar with the common sounds that you hear coming from a Buell V-twin. This is something new. I would say it makes the clanking sound once every 5-10 seconds when riding and it is very random (not continuous). | ||
| Dtx |
Well, I took it to the dealership today to see what they thought. They had two technicians test ride it and they also heard the "clank". Neither of them could identify it exactly but they both said it had to be coming from the left side case, which is where I thought it was coming from. We double checked the primary chain and it was a little loose, but after adjustment and a test ride the noise could still be heard. Next step is to probably take off the left side case. Everybody, including myself, is bewildered as to what it is. Bike still runs like a bat outta hell, though! (Message edited by dtx on May 16, 2007) | ||
| Spiderman |
If it is random it means there is something not attached. Sounds like a bolt or nut that fell onto the case say between the starter and read cyl. It is stuck nut can get out or something is hanging and banging the pipe. Have you removed the air box and peered down to see if anything is down there? | ||
| Dbird29 |
Could it be your riding gear?   | ||
| 147db |
I have the same problem too! | ||
| 147db |
I'll check for this later:  Maybe this is the cause of our "clankclank"...  | ||
| Spiderman |
that is more of a clacking sound that goes away with a slight load on the tranny. | ||
| Dtx |
Is it possible that the tensioner shoe on the primary chain is worn out? I will continue to investigate. I'm convinced it is something stupid (simple!). I have decided to go ahead and do the track day regardless. | ||
| Cycleaddict |
why not just take off the primary cover , identify problem, and FIX it ! ( or we could discuss it for a few more days?) | ||
| Dtx |
OK | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
I think you guys are on the right track. I had this issue too, and tightened the primary sprocket compensator nut to fix the problem. I also adjusted the clutch, inspected tensioner boot, and adjusted chain to spec before I put the cover back on. Let us know if that is what you were hearing. I think it's a pretty common issue. That's why they upped the torque on this nut to 260 ft. lbs. | ||
| Dtx |
Thanks Tx05, thats what I will do. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't something else before I started doing things like taking the side case off. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
It's an easy repair. Just takes a while getting all those bolts on and off the primary cover. Here's a little tip I learned the hard way. Don't laugh... You gotta lift the primary chain up at the bottom when you put the primary cover back on so the chain will clear the tensioner boot. Otherwise you'll get mad like me when you think the darn thing is warped or something and whack on it a few times with a rubber hammer until your dad catches you and laughs in your face because you forgot about the tensioner boot. | ||
| Dtx |
Well, I had my track day yesterday and it went great. The bike is still making the sound and I finally got time tonight to take the left case off. Hoping to find something, I found nothing unusual under the left case. In fact everything appeared fine. The tensioner shoe was barely worn and the compensator nut was not loose. I don't know what it could be. Either I keep digging at this point, or take it to the dealership like this and see if they can find anything.    | ||
| Dtx |
Obligatory tire pic after track day.   | ||
| Medic352 |
If the stator is not loose. I would tighten up the primary chain, try again. If you want send me an email, I got three XB's to compare and contrast with if you want. Maybe, (doubtful) but maybe clutch hub nut? I would have to check the rear motor mount(well all of them). | ||
| Blake |
How did you verify that the pinion shaft nut was properly torqued and not backed-off? The thing is assembled with loctite, so even though it appears tight upon a cursory inspection, it may have backed off enough to allow things to loosen up enough to make a clanking noise every so often. Strongly suggest that you loosen, remove, clean, re-loctite, replace and retorque to the new specs to be sure. | ||
| Sparky |
I had the engine sprocket nut come loose on a 98 S3 because the dealer tech forgot to torque it. The engine would make a rackety rumble noise like heavy parts rattling around inside the primary at idle. While riding though, the noise would go away while accelerating and return while coasting or decelerating. I took that to mean the nut was tightening on accel and loosening on decel. I rode some 80 miles that way to home from the dealer. No harm was done, but it sure made an ominous sound. In your case, it's possible the sprocket nut appears tight but is loose enough to allow unwanted sprocket/rotor movement and weird noises. I would remove the sprocket nut and re-tighten it per the procedure outlined in 147db's post above. | ||
| Dtx |
Medic, Blake and Sparky, Thank you. I will try all of those. Blake- I checked it with my fingers. lol I will go ahead and take it off and re-torque per the service bulliten. | ||
| Medic352 |
Well, we reassembled it last night...any changes? |
