I have a ticking sound on the left side of my motor. The dealerships said this is normal.. But it is really starting to annoy me and it just not right
Does it sound like a chain noise, coming from the primary case?
In 2007, Harley changed the primary chain tension adjuster to an "automatic", spring loaded one, that doesn't work very well.
You can bolt in an older manual adjuster, BUT the area that USED to be an inspection/access cover on the outer primary cover is now a solid area, so you'd have to remove the outer primary cover everytime you adjust the primary chain.
There are some aftermarket "automatic" adjusters out on the market.
Thank you, that make sense!
Yeah, I have a 2008 Road King Classic, and the same problem. One way to check, take off hard from a stop, up to 30 MPH in 1st (owner's manual says 25 MPH is the shift point, so 5 MPH difference won't hurt). Brake hard with just rear brake, but don't lock up rear wheel. Repeat this 3 times. If the noise is suddenly gone, or quiter, the primary chain adjuster is the problem. What you're doing with the above is first tightening the top run of the primary chain, giving maximum slack to the bottom run, where the adjuster works off of, allowing the adjuster to try and remove that slack. We're both lucky, though. Most people complain that the adjuster tightens the chain too tight, causing excessive bearing wear on the transmission bearing.
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SOURCE: Hearing ticking noise in
Your bike came with an oil dipstick. It should be on the oil filler cap on the back end of the transmssion. You can get a new dipstick from a dealer, aftermarket shop, or here at this link.
http://www.bikebandit.com/1999-harley-davidson-flhr/o/m1019#sch146813
As for the ticking noise, if it's just a slight tick that sounds like it's coming from the top end, this is normal. Your engine is an older design engine using pushrods to operate the valves instead of the more modern overhead camshaft design like other bikes. This is what makes a Harley a Harley. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are designed and built for the motorcycle purist that still likes the looks and lines of a classic motorcycle. They like a motorcycle that doesn't have a radiator on it. As such, the valve train is not as quiet as the more modern design. As long as the noise is not so loud as to be distracting, there's probably nothing wrong with your bike. If the noise is distracting or attracts the attention of other riders nearby, you may need to take it to a mechanic. Without hearing the noise, anything that I say would be even worse than a mere guess.
Good Luck
Steve
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