2012 FLD Switchback front end rattle
#1
05-06-2018, 07:12 AM
2012 FLD Switchback front end rattle
Since I got this bike (my first ever bike of any kind) last year I've had a rattle from the front end during warm up and then idling at about 950-1000 rpm.
Bought with 8k miles, 10k on it now.
Yesterday I noted that with the front brake engages the visible vibration from the front fork is damped and the rattle goes away.
If I hold the front of the fender and damp the vibration it goes away.
It seems to be coming from up inside the front fender but all attachment points are tight.
Headlight nacelle is a little loose but the noise is not from there.
When I brought it in to HD for annual inspection he listened and said perhaps it was the heat shield but he was wrong.
It's annoying and I would like it to go away but I can live with it, my worry is that there might be something wrong with the front suspension and this is the first indicator.
Bought with 8k miles, 10k on it now.
Yesterday I noted that with the front brake engages the visible vibration from the front fork is damped and the rattle goes away.
If I hold the front of the fender and damp the vibration it goes away.
It seems to be coming from up inside the front fender but all attachment points are tight.
Headlight nacelle is a little loose but the noise is not from there.
When I brought it in to HD for annual inspection he listened and said perhaps it was the heat shield but he was wrong.
It's annoying and I would like it to go away but I can live with it, my worry is that there might be something wrong with the front suspension and this is the first indicator.
#2
05-06-2018, 08:22 AM
Stellar HDF Member
Since I got this bike (my first ever bike of any kind) last year I've had a rattle from the front end during warm up and then idling at about 950-1000 rpm.
Bought with 8k miles, 10k on it now.
Yesterday I noted that with the front brake engages the visible vibration from the front fork is damped and the rattle goes away.
If I hold the front of the fender and damp the vibration it goes away.
It seems to be coming from up inside the front fender but all attachment points are tight.
Headlight nacelle is a little loose but the noise is not from there.
When I brought it in to HD for annual inspection he listened and said perhaps it was the heat shield but he was wrong.
It's annoying and I would like it to go away but I can live with it, my worry is that there might be something wrong with the front suspension and this is the first indicator.
Bought with 8k miles, 10k on it now.
Yesterday I noted that with the front brake engages the visible vibration from the front fork is damped and the rattle goes away.
If I hold the front of the fender and damp the vibration it goes away.
It seems to be coming from up inside the front fender but all attachment points are tight.
Headlight nacelle is a little loose but the noise is not from there.
When I brought it in to HD for annual inspection he listened and said perhaps it was the heat shield but he was wrong.
It's annoying and I would like it to go away but I can live with it, my worry is that there might be something wrong with the front suspension and this is the first indicator.
#4
05-06-2018, 09:24 PM
Road Master
It’s your primary...or flywheel ... your engine is going to implode,....
You have a great bike, I love my FLD, but I have a theory as to why a Harley should never be your first bike. Besides the riding aspect of it, Harley’s require more....
Harley’s aren’t diva’s but they do require more from their owners, little squeaks, rattles and other noises come up all the time, you need to be able to diagnose these perceived issues yourself, otherwise you will pay out the *** to have someone do it for you. The reason I say perceived is that most of the time they are nothing, this is something someone with experience with different bikes will have figured out already.
not saying you won’t get there, you will if you stick with it...
chances are its it’s your windshield...mine rattles quite a bit especially when the brakes are applied....
You have a great bike, I love my FLD, but I have a theory as to why a Harley should never be your first bike. Besides the riding aspect of it, Harley’s require more....
Harley’s aren’t diva’s but they do require more from their owners, little squeaks, rattles and other noises come up all the time, you need to be able to diagnose these perceived issues yourself, otherwise you will pay out the *** to have someone do it for you. The reason I say perceived is that most of the time they are nothing, this is something someone with experience with different bikes will have figured out already.
not saying you won’t get there, you will if you stick with it...
chances are its it’s your windshield...mine rattles quite a bit especially when the brakes are applied....
#5
05-08-2018, 05:37 AM
#6
05-09-2018, 06:36 AM
The rattle is still there but I learned something. With the windshield off and a half-helmet the wind noise is deafening ... windshield back on, lol.
#7
05-09-2018, 07:08 AM
Stellar HDF Member
clip rattle.. with 10K now on the bike have you done or had the 10K service done?? there is a whole check list of things that they go over and re-torque, as you know
these things vibrate and with that vibration comes loose fasteners
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#8
04-16-2020, 06:29 PM
Stage IV
Join Date: May 2014
Location: New York
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Are you sure it’s not your headlight?
my headlight rattles like a beehive. When I ride next to a wall or car on a highway, it bounces back and the buzz is annoying. I’ve tightened it a dozen times, but, it’s spring mounted. I diagnosed it finally by applying masking tape on the nacelle and headlight nice and tight and like a miracle, it was gone. So, I just live with it now.
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