First thing I thought of was primary chain tension.

But, the spoke issue might be something too?

 

I tried to find info specific to my 2011 primary so if someone could direct to a how to I'd appreciate it. Why did the inspection cover disappear from the primary cover? On my '04 Heritage I could adjust the primary chain through the inspection opening. Thanks

 

Just lightly hit each of your spokes with an end wrench, tight ones “ting” and loose ones “tong”. Also sounds to be primary tension to me, though you will never eliminate the tensioning of that on acceleration, then slack as it tensions on decel.

There is no rubber drive isolator between the rear pulley and wheel on a softail.

 

So are you saying that adjusting primary chain tension is fruitless in this situation ? Still wondering about the disappearance of the inspection opening on the primary case. I thought I had read some time ago that it disappeared due to hd using an automatic tensioner therefore eliminating the need for the opening.

 

No, I'm saying you will not be able to eliminate all of what you are calling slop, its a chain, so there is going to be some "slack" otherwise it would be way too tight. Just pull your outer primary and inspect as per the factory service manual if you suspect a problem.

 

Pulled the primary cover just to have a look. I confirmed what I was pretty sure of. You can't adjust the chain. My local Indy shop told it was the compensator sprocket. Approximately one thousand later all is well. Touch wood. Not happy that it is such a common problem just like cam chain tensioners in earlier models.