I have a 2004 Fatboy with 5500 miles. Prior to having the bike serviced (5000) I heard what sounds like a knocking noise from the engine only when the bike is idling. I figured it was the primary chain so I mentioned it to the service guy who said it might be a Harley noise but would check it out. When I picked the bike up the noise was gone (at least I thought it was) but is now back. It’s a knocking noise the sounds like a piston slap or something similar. It’s the type of noise you hear when a bike is idling to low and almost ready to stall out, but that is not my case. I have been told not to worry it’s a Harley noise. I did check the primary chain and it is still tight.

 

EVERYTHING acording to the dealer is normal. Trust their word about as far as you could throw your bike.

Lean coughs, knocking front ends, engine noises, they are all normal acording to them.

You may have a compensator stack up issue. It may be loosening up, in which case the primary cover has to be pulled to inspect it. It will progress and get worse if this is what it is and eventually contact the inside of the cover giving you a metallic grinding noise.

Here's some input on it...

https://www.hdforums.com/m_95084/tm.htm

https://www.hdforums.com/m_66699/tm.htm

https://www.hdforums.com/m_64810/tm.htm

 

Thanks for the quick response. I am going to take it back to the dealer and see what he says. I have the extended warranty so hopefully it will be covered. I live in the Northeast and we are going to get clobbered with snow today so it’s going to be a few days before I can get the bike checked. Thanks again.

 

Bill, I hear ya, I'm in NY and we have the same forecast here too[:@]

 

It's here the snow that is. In pa it started around 3:30 pm alredy have an inch GREAT THIS SUX

 

I'm in northern North Dakota.......welcome to my world.

joe
[:'(]