Ok I am new to the Harley world, just came over from a silent Goldwingso be kind please. I have searched until my fingers bleed and still don't have a good answer. I have ridden my 98 Road King for about 4,000 miles now and have a question. When starting my bike cold it is very quiet. After riding for a few miles it has a light clattering noise (not a knock) coming from the primary case. I have checked the chain tension and it was about 1/8 inch tight so I reset it. I have checked the compensator for looseness and checked the tensioner for wear. Everything looks great. This may be a normal noise for this engine so I may be chasing my tail on this one. I don't have anyone close that I know yet that rides anbike with this EVO engine to let them hear it so I thought maybe someone here could tell me if this sounds normal or not. It runs great, sounds good on the road, only hear this at slow speeds or idle.I know I tend to over maintain and worry too much but I hate to break anything. By the way it has about 28,000 miles on it. Thanks to all.

 

What primary oil are you using?

 

It had the Harley primary oil in it when I bought it and I changed it to Mobile 1 15W50. I ran that for about 4,000 miles and today I changed it to Lucas 10W40 semi synthetic motorcycle oil that said it was for wet clutchs. It still sounds the same though. It is not a loud clatter just a clatter so it may be normal, I was told the EVO was a little noisy.

 

Well any of those oils should be fine. The 10w40 is probably optimal. My primary is noisy as well on my TC88. Makes a mechanical chain/buzzing sound. Dealer wrench says it is the nature of the beast. Did the whole routine by pulling the case and retorqued the comp sprocket andall is within spec. I put some redline MT90 & MTLin it which is a 75w90 and 70w80 gear oil with no moly and it has quieted it about 50%. The viscosity of this blend is about a 38-40w. The HD formula + is a 50w which was too thick for my liking and the clutch was too grabby. I would stick with the 10w40. Your compensator may have some extra tolerance in it. Did you re-torque the compensator nut by chance? If not I wouldn't go back in there unless it starts knocking on start up or clutch release.

 

Thanks, I guess I just worry too much or I am thinking it should sound like the old wing which I know it won't, that's why I bought it. I am just going to ride on and not worry about it.[8D]