| Author | Message | ||
     Natexlh1000 |
My 2008 clunks when it's cold sounds like it's coming apart but has been doing that since new. Can I jack up the rear, pop it into 5th and check for slack that way? My warranty is up in a month so I would like to figure this out. | ||
| Phild1203 |
If it's under warranty, take it to the dealership and tell them it clunks. I would check the primary chain adjustment first, but you're not going to be able to tell if the compensator is loose unless you throw a torque wrench on it. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I don't think the 08-up bikes are prone to the primary sprocket working loose. They use a bolt rather than a nut as on earlier Buell/Sportster engines. I don't think a loose sprocket noise would be dependent on engine temp either. | ||
| Ulyscol |
My 08' has "clunked" only when cold from mile zero. Now I have 20k and it still clunks when cold. I have always kept an eye on the primary chain but I just think it is lash in the drive line. | ||
| 70_west |
My 08 "Clunked" too when cold. I adjusted the primary tension when it was hot, went away. So maybe that's what yours needs, I'd certainly check it. | ||
| Swimmonkey |
My guess is a rod bearing. My '07 did the same thing and then detonated on a Sunday ride last May. The noise I was hearing was my piston hitting against the cylinder head. When the bearing finally wallowed out, the piston slammed against the top of the head so hard it caused the rod to break and the rest is too painful to talk about. Don't take any chances. An insider at the dealership said my bike was not the first one in with the same issue. Buell (HD) gave me a new motor but it took six weeks. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I'm going to try 70_west's method first. Hopefully not a bearing! | ||
| Swimmonkey |
I hope it works out for you. I was in denial that something like this could be happening but my feelings were confirmed when the wrist pin exploded leaving me in the middle of nowhere with a bike that sounded like a coffee grinder full of nuts and bolts. Please let me (us) know what you find. Cheers! | ||
| Highlander51 |
Swimmonkey, what were your symptoms? A clunk that sounds like a primary nut is more of a rattle. I have always had a noise that sounds like a wristpin when the motor is hot and coming off the fwy, but subsides as it idles. It has never gotten any worst in 12,000 miles but still gets my attention. | ||
| Swimmonkey |
Highlander51 - My motor made a rattle when it was cold at idle. Then it would go away when warm. After warm-up, I would hear it at re-stars when blipping the throttle. The most pronounced noise would happen when riding and when I backed off on the throttle, pulled in the clutch while preparing to downshift. When my motor blew, I was riding spiritedly but nothing that should have hurt the engine in any way whatsoever. The bearing that went out was the crank bearing. This is a bearing that is pressed in at the factory (according to the Harley tech). He speculated that this particular bearing was not properly seated during production. I don't know if I believe that explanation but I'm no expert on Sportster motors. My advice is that if you are hearing something out of the ordinary, you should get it checked out. They did give me a new motor but only after a bit of pain on my end. My detonation occurred at about 9K miles. Sorry for the rambling! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I appreciate the "rambling" it's scary stuff. Mine is over 25,000 now. I guess I'll just bring it in instead of trying to figure it out. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I checked the chain tension when I got it to work Friday and it was fine. I just dropped it off at the dealership to figure it out. |
