Is this sound I'm hearing, normal

[JimmyDee]

When driving in 3rd gear and I release the throttle I hear a noise that sounds like it might be a chain slapping metal. When I throttle back up abruptly I hear the same thing again. This can happen in most any gear, guess I notice it mostly when riding for extended periods in 3rd or 4th gear. Just as a note, I have heard the same sound from my Ultra, just does not seem as loud.

Is this something that can be adjusted out or is it the nature of the beast?

Have a great day....Jim

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

I would either check your primary drive or have it checked at a shop for a possible primary chain drive issue. If you do it yoursellf the easiest thing you could do first is to drain the primary oil and see if there is any excessive metal collected on the magnet end of the drain plug. The magnet can at least give a indication of how bad it is.

From there you will need to remove your outer primary cover and begin to inspect the compensator and clutch assemblies. Also make sure your auto primary chain adjuster is not too tight.

[Oldmsocko]

I would either check your primary drive or have it checked at a shop for a possible primary chain drive issue. If you do it yoursellf the easiest thing you could do first is to drain the primary oil and see if there is any excessive metal collected on the magnet end of the drain plug. The magnet can at least give a indication of how bad it is.

From there you will need to remove your outer primary cover and begin to inspect the compensator and clutch assemblies. Also make sure your auto primary chain adjuster is not too tight.

That would be the first place I would look. Good advice.

[JimmyDee]

TG has an appointment with the dealer tomorrow morning. Just to double check I too my Ultra for a spin and it virtually makes zero noise, it is there but very faint.

[Livin2Ride]

My TG was starting to do that too, I just installed the Hayden primary chain tensioner, problem solved.

[msocko3]

It could be the compensator clacking, I've heard the newer ones do that under certain conditions like a quick throttle chop in lower gears. I'd still have it looked at.

[JimmyDee]

TG has an appointment with the dealer tomorrow morning. Just to double check I too my Ultra for a spin and it virtually makes zero noise, it is there but very faint.

Due to a pre-scheduled golf game that I had the days mixed up on, my dealer trip is postponed until next week.

[Krautster]

When driving in 3rd gear and I release the throttle I hear a noise that sounds like it might be a chain slapping metal. When I throttle back up abruptly I hear the same thing again. This can happen in most any gear, guess I notice it mostly when riding for extended periods in 3rd or 4th gear. Just as a note, I have heard the same sound from my Ultra, just does not seem as loud.

Is this something that can be adjusted out or is it the nature of the beast?

Have a great day....Jim

when did u have your cam chain tentioner check or replaced? primary is best placed to start at

[DK Custom Products]

As already stated, sounds like the primary chain or the compensator.

Curious to know if your dealer tells you it's normal, or if they identify and remedy it.

[rap47]

My TG was starting to do that too, I just installed the Hayden primary chain tensioner, problem solved.

+1 Me too!

[JimmyDee]

As already stated, sounds like the primary chain or the compensator.

Curious to know if your dealer tells you it's normal, or if they identify and remedy it.

Will post my results after the doctor's visit, hope to get it in the first of next week. I took it by an independent shop late yesterday, not to have him go into the primary but to give me his opinion. I have known him from a previous HD dealer and he said although he has heard it in other bikes, mine sounded loud enough to have it officially checked. He also said the first thing he would look at would be the compensator.

[msocko3]

Will post my results after the doctor's visit, hope to get it in the first of next week. I took it by an independent shop late yesterday, not to have him go into the primary but to give me his opinion. I have known him from a previous HD dealer and he said although he has heard it in other bikes, mine sounded loud enough to have it officially checked. He also said the first thing he would look at would be the compensator.

I agree 100% with him, the compensator their using is a pretty poor design. The compensator they installed in the Triglide since day one is the same design as the Screamin Eagle compensator. There are guys who have had them fail in as little as 7,000 miles when installed on a 2 wheel touring bike. A trike will work the compensator even harder, couple that with the poor design and you have a pretty short lived product. My dads was shot at 35,000 miles, the one in the 2010 Triglide I had was toast at 22,000 miles. When they start clunking and banging on shutdown or clack when letting off the throttle in lower gears, their shot.

The design of them is such the ramps and inner parts are starved for lubrication, this starts the metal to fret. The below pictured compensator parts show the excessive ware starting, they only had 10,000 miles on them at the time. You can see on the spokes of the sprocket where the ramps ride it is galling. The unfortunate part of this situation is there is not good replacement except more of the same at this time. I do know there are some manufacturers working on a more robust design, just don't know when it will hit the market.

[JimmyDee]

when did u have your cam chain tentioner check or replaced? primary is best placed to start at

2013 with approx. 1850 miles, haven't done anything more than the 1K service.

[msocko3]

2013 with approx. 1850 miles, haven't done anything more than the 1K service.

Don't sweat the cam chain tensioners, the ones in the 07 and newer touring hold up pretty good. The Harley's with tensioner issues are the 99 - 06 touring and up to 05 Dyna, those tensioners were sketchy at best. Some might make 10,000 miles and some would go 70,000 miles, it was a mixed bag and a roll of the dice on whether or not you number would be up early.

[Mr.Wizard]

Had same issue... took it to dealer SM friend of mine. He rode it.

Says it is normal for the weight of the trike to slap the chain and compensator like that when rocking on and off throttle. (He's was a PHD Tech for over a decade before moving up the food chain)

Installed the Hayden and the noise, although is not gone, is much quieter now.

[JimmyDee]

Had same issue... took it to dealer SM friend of mine. He rode it.

Says it is normal for the weight of the trike to slap the chain and compensator like that when rocking on and off throttle. (He's was a PHD Tech for over a decade before moving up the food chain)

Installed the Hayden and the noise, although is not gone, is much quieter now.

This is encouraging!

[Bushman4]

I wouldn't worry about it too much but I would have it checked by the dealer at some point.

[JimmyDee]

I wouldn't worry about it too much but I would have it checked by the dealer at some point.

Bushman4...Is your making the same sound? When I get it to the dealer I'll post their comments.

[JimmyDee]

Finally had the opportunity to get the TG to the dealer and as some of us have said, the diagnosis was "it's normal''. Now, in defense of the dealer I will have to say that when riding solo the noise is not as bad as when riding two-up. I did not offer that 'we' take it for a test ride. The tech did say that they might could shim the compensator and get some of the noise out but Harley has sent a service bulletin out saying not to do it.

During our discussion he pointed to a Screaming Eagle sitting in the service area that had about 350 miles on it. He said that the chain slap was really loud and the owner was threatening a law suit because he wanted his $$ back. They are waiting on a Harley rep. to come by and bless it.

As for my bike, I will continue to ask each time I take the TG in for service just in case a mid-season fix/solution comes out.