i have a 2001 1200 sportster xl custom. it has a bout 23K miles - I bought it used from an hd dealer in annapolis about 1.5 years ago.
when I bought it it had about 9k miles.

a few days ago i heard a whining noise in third gear. then it went away for a few days and then came back. basically
in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear i get a high pitched sound that increase or decreases with speed. the bike needs to be in gear and the throttle engaged. 1st doesnt really have it and 5th doesnt have it at all. it seems to be getting worse, now even if I am coasting I can hear it, even w/ the clutch in, for example breaking to a stop. if I go into neutral it goes away.

do you have any idea what this may be? and if so is this the kind of thing I can do? Or do I need to take it to a professional and spend
500 or more? so I am in NY and need to get back to DC and don't want to make the problem worse by driving on it.

 

OK - I did a little more looking and now I am having my own private ohshit moment. I think i have no primary oil...so a few stupid questions:
1. is the motor oil different and separate from the primary oil?
2. if i take off the derby cover(large round cover on left side of bike were clutch is) will i need to drain the regular oil first?
3. i f i have driven some miles w/ little or no primary oil how bad have i @#$%#@#$$ up my bike?

*****.

 

1. seperate but can be the same.many choices there and too much to get into
2. motor oil stays in.drain the primary.you can refill through the inspection cover.
3. depends

Dump a qt. in that primary and take it for a spin.
Good luck

 

I don't know anything about working on sportsters but I am smart enough to tell you to get a manual specific for your sportster from HD. It will point you in the right direction.

 

Never changed your primary oil? It would be good to change it every 5k miles...

Never adjusted your free play on the clutch?

As far as damage... you would have to think if oil is suppose to be in there... then its there for a reason... to lubricate... Time will tell if there's any damage...

Do you know where the oil level is suppose to be and how you check the level?

Ever noticed any leaking oil around your bike?... If it is low, it had to go somewhere?


Charlie D.

 

I'm almost afraid to ask; Who did the required 10K, 15K and 20K services on the bike?

 

If the clutch is still working, not sticking and disengageing, and you can shift gears then you're not out of oil yet. And probabaly no damage to the transmission gears.

Drain the primary/transmission oil and replace with HD Formula+ oil.

Go ride, have a good time. Head to the dealer and get a manual. Then read said manual.

 

loud whining noise eh?

Don't let the wife ride with ya

 

You may want to post these questions in the Sportster model section.

 

yep, we have an excellent Sportster section here (best on the net imo)