need some suggestions

dirtdobber · Aug 2, 2015

My wife and I took a short ride around skyline mountain. We stopped going down the mountain. She was looking for rocks, I know, well i left the trike running while I waited on her. A knocking started off and on. It was coming from my clutch area. I'm think they only added 32 oz when they did the service. Or theres a clutch problem just starting to show itself. I noticed when I first got it I would at times feel the compersator making noise. Would not take off smothelly. I'm changing the fluid with the proper amount tomorrow to see if it helps.

screwball · Aug 3, 2015

Do what you want, BUT, you have a brand shiny new $30,000.00 motorcycle that IS UNDER WARRENTY. If it were me and the noise comes and goes I'd ride it until the noise doesn't go away, then let Harley trained mechanics fix it, change the fluids, or tell you there isn't anything wrong. In any case you now have a paper trail that you took it in, they didn't fix anything and it blew up.

In my long association with Harley I've owned 7 new Harleys, and a couple of used ones. Each and every one made 'funny noises', had rattles that came and went, and had bolts fall off. I've had compensators go bad, but usually after 30 or 40 thousand miles.

Just my old opinion. Good Luck!

dirtdobber · Aug 3, 2015

I hear yea on the warranty. I do my own service so I have plenty of oil on the rack. It doesnt do it on level grond is why they may have short changed me. Before these new compersators came out 32 oz. was the norm for a lot of shops. With the new compondamts you need the full 38 oz.. this I am certain of.
Like you if the oil dont do it we will wait untill its known.
They always want you to leave em. Thats 2 tripss with the truck and trailer.

Bill G · Aug 3, 2015

All this kind of stuff is why I don't let a dealer touch my bike unless they have to, then I double check everything they do ( my trike was low on primary fluid to, I checked it as soon as I got the trike home, the engine and trany fluids where fine) I think the techs think it will be ok with 1 quart or 32oz until the break in oil change. It saves them from taking 6oz out of another quart, laziness and saves the Dealer money and they more than likely they think it will be ok because its just the primary. I don't like things done wrong and 8 out of 10 people in todays work force will take the short cut so if one of those 8 work on your bike you get screwed. I also don't care for the way they often scratch a customers bike and think that it is perfectly acceptable.

Warranty or not, I try my best to keep my Harley away from the Dealers.

With that said I am very picky and this is what works for me to keep my scoot in top shape.

Ride Safe,

Bill G

dirtdobber · Aug 3, 2015

That is how I feel. I always let em do the first service after that I do them. I'll change it myself. I use Amsoil oil so I keep plenty of oil on hand. With 5 bikes to keep up I have to keep plenty of oil on hand. Other wise ill have to pay retail.
Its easy enough to do anyway.

dirtdobber · Aug 3, 2015

Well i do believe I found the problem.went to change primarry fluid and found the drain plug was not tight. No signs of any leaking but it only had 28 oz in it. Replaced the fluid with 38 oz no noise of yet. No knocking present. It had gotten a lot worse before i checked it and replaced the fluids. They will hear from me tomorrow.

Sunman · Aug 3, 2015

I am with you guys. I do all of my own maintenance and repairs. The only time any of my bikes has ever seen a dealer is if it was warranty (then I checked everything when I got it home) or if there were special tools required and the cost of the tools was more than taking it to the dealer. Before I started doing all of my own work I found missing parts, hoses left disconnected, stripped bolts, etc. when the dealer did the work.

Besides, I enjoy working on the bikes.

Sunman

dirtdobber · Aug 4, 2015

After getting in a good ride in the heat I have made a assessment:
32 oz is not enough for the new compensator and now the clutch. After changing the primary and adding the correct amount per manual, which is 38 oz wet and 41 oz dry both knocking is gone.
I did file a complaint on the service person that did the change. They even tried to tell me to be care full with 38 oz that might be too much.
Before when cold the compensator would knock at times when taking off, that's gone to.
What I am saying, if you get a knocking in the clutch or compensator might be a good idea to check the primary fluid.
The reason I jumped on the fluid change was I had read several reports of others having a knocking sound with the compensator. This may be their problem, oh that was discussed in the same articles I read.

rhino 2 · Aug 4, 2015

dirtdobber said:
After getting in a good ride in the heat I have made a assessment:
32 oz is not enough for the new compensator and now the clutch. After changing the primary and adding the correct amount per manual, which is 38 oz wet and 41 oz dry both knocking is gone.
I did file a complaint on the service person that did the change. They even tried to tell me to be care full with 38 oz that might be too much.
Before when cold the compensator would knock at times when taking off, that's gone to.
What I am saying, if you get a knocking in the clutch or compensator might be a good idea to check the primary fluid.
The reason I jumped on the fluid change was I had read several reports of others having a knocking sound with the compensator. This may be their problem, oh that was discussed in the same articles I read.

I recently had a discussion about the fluid amount with my service guy after they installed my mechanical reverse... The new school of thought from ''Harley'' even though the manuals say 32oz.. Is 28oz and to screw the dipstick in all the way. Not just lay it on top to check the level..:Shrug:

Bill G · Aug 4, 2015

rhino 2 said:
I recently had a discussion about the fluid amount with my service guy after they installed my mechanical reverse... The new school of thought from ''Harley'' even though the manuals say 32oz.. Is 28oz and to screw the dipstick in all the way. Not just lay it on top to check the level..:Shrug:

This thread or posting is talking about the Primary and it's fluid level, not the Trany.

You are correct about checking the Trany fluid and the procedure with the dipstick. The Primary does not have a dipstick and takes 38 oz of fluid not 28 to 30 oz of fluid like the Trany does.

Ride Safe,

Bill G

rhino 2 · Aug 4, 2015

Bill G said:
This thread or posting is talking about the Primary and it's fluid level, not the Trany. You are correct about checking the Trany fluid and the procedure with the dipstick. The Primary does not have a dipstick and takes 38 oz of fluid not 28 to 30 oz of fluid like the Trany does.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

OPP'S!...........:blush::blush:

dirtdobber · Aug 4, 2015

I really, really wish they came with the inspection cover on the primary. Sure would help keeping a eye on things much easier.
Yes the tranmission takes 32 oz or one quart. That one is simple enough.
At 10,000 miles i can get rid of the 20/50 thats in the trans and get amsoil in it , severe lube

davek · Aug 4, 2015

primary fluid level

Bill G said:
This thread or posting is talking about the Primary and it's fluid level, not the Trany. You are correct about checking the Trany fluid and the procedure with the dipstick. The Primary does not have a dipstick and takes 38 oz of fluid not 28 to 30 oz of fluid like the Trany does.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

Hey Bill....I have a 2015 Tri-Glide...How do I check the primary fluid level to be sure the dealer put in the correct amount ?? In my 93 FL I always fill to bottom of derby cover opening...Is it the same?? Thanks,,Dave

FuzzyWuzHe · Aug 4, 2015

davek said:
Hey Bill....I have a 2015 Tri-Glide...How do I check the primary fluid level to be sure the dealer put in the correct amount ?? In my 93 FL I always fill to bottom of derby cover opening...Is it the same?? Thanks,,Dave

Only one way ... drain it and refill it.

Bill G · Aug 4, 2015

davek said:
Hey Bill....I have a 2015 Tri-Glide...How do I check the primary fluid level to be sure the dealer put in the correct amount ?? In my 93 FL I always fill to bottom of derby cover opening...Is it the same?? Thanks,,Dave

Dave,

Without actually measuring the fluid in oz a good guideline for a visual check would be. With the Trike level and the cover off so you can see the clutch assembly. The fluid level should be just over/at the bottom of the clutch. See approxment level line drawn on the pic below.

(Note)

To much of an oil level over the clutch can also cause issues.

I really would suggest filling it from empty with 38oz of oil and taking note of where the oil level is on your Trike for future eye or visual oil level checks.

I hope this helps.

Ride Safe,

Bill G

dirtdobber · Aug 5, 2015

Can't do trikes like we do on our 2 wheelers. The bikes are on the jiffy stand as where the trikes are upright.
I did the 38 oz and ckecked where it ended up at. Now I know.
To be honest with you it did make a difference. If your not getting any knocking or sounds from the compensator I would wait then change it your self.
I use a glass tumbler that reads in many formats. I use to be the quality control manger at a pepsi plant. You can get em at walmart. Just use one that is made of glass. Plastic will give false readings.

screwball · Aug 6, 2015

WOW, I'm amazed at the distrust of dealers. Way back when I did my own service work on my Harleys and Cars. It was fun and kept me out of the bars.

Now that I'm old and gray, I just can't do it anymore. A lot of us here are OLD, INFIRM, and missing parts. IF your dealer is such a crook, why did you buy the bike from them. I've had outstanding luck with our dealer, and have complete trust in his service department....

dirtdobber · Aug 7, 2015

I have been dealing with the same dealer since the 1960's and this is the first issue that I remember.
When i was 14 they helped me build my first Harley, 1964, we would work on it after they closed or when I could get parts.
They have changed hands butI remember hanging out there so many years.
Im one of the ones that has a hard time working on my bikes/trikes. It takes a lot longer now andI have to things a lot different. I read a book called "do any thing by your self" its for disabilable folks.Helped me a lot. Some prefer to keep trying and some prefer to use dealers. It all gets done, thats all that matters.

Bill G · Aug 7, 2015

screwball said:
WOW, I'm amazed at the distrust of dealers. Way back when I did my own service work on my Harleys and Cars. It was fun and kept me out of the bars. Now that I'm old and gray, I just can't do it anymore. A lot of us here are OLD, INFIRM, and missing parts. IF your dealer is such a crook, why did you buy the bike from them. I've had outstanding luck with our dealer, and have complete trust in his service department....

I like and trust my Dealer on a hole. With that said I am one picky picky person. Most people 8 out of 10 can't touch my standards, that's just the way it is. So I choose to take care of things myself.

Most folks think there dealer is fine and they are for them but most people again are nowhere as picky as me. Not to offend anyone with this statement. Most are fine with or don't even notice the small scratches mechanics leave on things.

Ride Safe,

Bill G