Hey all,

I have an 09 RKC, and in 5th gear, at 55mph+ only, I get a metallic jackhammering sound that I have never heard in my 30 years of riding a motorcycle. I don't ride my bike hard, and just hit 1000 miles, where my dealership is trying to figure out what it could be. It started from my 1st ride, and MOCO wanted to wait until 1000 miles to see if it went away once broken in... it hasn't. It happens on upshifting and downshifting.. under light and heavier throttle, so this is definitely not normal. I know these engines are noisey, which I have no problem with, but this is way out of the realm of normal. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Any / all input is welcome... thanks!

AJK

 

What are the RPM's at that configuration???

 

I probably won't be of any help esp. if dealer has been investigating & not sure on this one: been through my school notes and the web other than this site. Nothing on the HD dealer pages re: same problem. If it were a TC88, I would bet that the engine counter-balancer jumped a tooth! New bike like that, it's hard to say except:

1) 96 CID engines are known to have weak crankshaft bearings but I think this problem was addressed on the newer bikes.
2) Compensator bad or compensator nut loose maybe?
3) Fifth gear has a different cut and is noisy due to gear mesh. 6th is spiral cut: what's it do in 6th: same or is it related to RPM?
4) Tires should have no more than 3.5 oz of weight or it is balanced incorrectly.
5) What lube are you using? Saw threads which complained of "knocking" noise which all ran Amsoil and changed to other brands: thicker trans lub maybe required?
6) Tappet bad and acting like a solid lifter?

Out of all these, I go with #3 since it only occurs in 5th gear but, like the dealer said, "wait and see". What are they planning since it didn't go away at 1000 miles? Still under warranty and, if it something happens after the warranty period, has been documented by the service call so should be honored: keep your copy of the repair order. Sorry I don't have any real answers here...

 

At 55 MPH in 5 th gear you're engine is turning 2429 RPMs which is loading the gear up a bit and what you are hearing may be the results of the power strokes of the 96 engine, try downshifting and see what you get or run the gear up a bit higher.

 

Do a search on clatter. Very common on 07 models until the ids came along. Your's should already have one built in from the factory. That leaves the comp, bad tuning, or a really messed up gearbox as possibilities. Function of the ids should be checked as well. The clatter at 50-55 mph in fifth is classic symptom of driveline rebound.
Ron

 

Hey Rob – thank you for such a lengthy response. The dealership put their 'engine guy' on it, whom I am told is actually quite good, and does all of their high end / rebuild work. He put it on the dyno, but couldn't replicate the sound there, so they need to get it on the road. This bike is 2 months old, with a 5 year ESP, so I think I am well covered. I brought it in immediately upon it happening to get it documented in their system.. thank god.. for they don't even remember who looked at it originally. I told them that they will have it all winter if that is what is necessary, for I won't take it back until it is fixed – my sneaky way of getting free winter storage I also told them that while it is there, to throw a stage 1 AC, SERT, and Monster Ovals on.

Peppi – Thank you for that information, and the sound doesn't happen in any gear, or any rpm other than 5th, which is what is so strange here. The load / rpm can be replicated in other gears, but the sound isn't there... strange, eh? That is what is causing such confusion around this, so the dealership will have to de-construct everything that has to do with 5th gear.

Ron – Thank you so much for that! I guess it could be called clatter as well, and I am going to copy all of the responses and give them to my service department. I am sure they will love getting that from me... luckily, this isn't a restaurant, and they can't spit in my food!

Happy Holidays to all... I am going to one of my local dealerships today to pick up new hard bags and get 35% off everything in stock!

Andrew

 

Is the hammering coming from the engine or drivetrain?You stated it also happens on upshift/downshift.You really have to narrow this down for us to give better troubleshooting possibilities.What has the dealer looked at to date to remedy this?Is it ONLY in 5th gear?Find someone with a dyno so you can run it up to the point of hammering to figure out where exactly the noise is coming from then take the following steps to rectify the problem. This really shouldn`t be your responsibility to diagnose but you could be really be doing some damage to something.Good luck,Toby

 

A friend had me ride his bike, to see if I could ID the noise it was making. To him it sounded like the engine was cutting out. I rode it without my helmet on and couldn't hear any abnormal noises. I told him to try a test ride without his helmet on. Noise went away.
Something about that particular helmet, made it sound like the bike was falling apart.
Tom

 

Thanks, Toby... I was concerned about damage myself. I am not sure where it is coming from, for I only hear it when riding at 55mph in 5th gear, on the upshift or downshift, as soon as it gets to that speed - including if I upshift or downshift into that speed. I bend down as much as I can to hear it, but don't want to be unsafe. Unfortunately, MOCO doesn't seem to think that a tachometer is important, so I can't monitor the rpm's during a occurence - this is very silly not to have a tach, and to charge $500.00 for a new speedo w/ tach is an insult imho.

A dealership mechanic heard it as well, so I know it isn't my helmet, which is a shorty. The dealer threw it on their dyno, one that has the load inducer, and couldn't replicate it, so they know they need to hit the open road with it. We have had some crappy weather, so I am sure the process is delayed, and they said they are committed to fixing it - love Bergen County HD!

I don't take it as my responsibility, but wanted to put it out there for some ideas. Someone may think of something that the local wrench / moco isn't. I am definitely going to be putting synthetic oils into my bike when I get her back, including the oil specially made for the 6 speed tranny.

Today I get my pewter pearl hard bags to replace the leather ones, and next week the hard lower fairing covers come in (with detachable hardware). Lastly, the dead center fairing goes on for my ultra road king (November - May riding), only to be stripped down to her bare essentials for the sunny stuff.

I love my bike, and this forum, so thanks to all for proving hours of reading enjoyment, and an extra cause for a fight between me and my lady - when she feels ignored

Andrew

 

ck the neck bearing for proper torque. that maybe why the noise couldnt be repeated on the dyno-no bumps. I had a similar issue and torquing the neck down to spec solved it. anyway just a thought.