hi iam new to the forum and i recently got a 94 xl1200 and i noticed that when i get to third gear i start hearing a clatter like a chain is slapping in the motor or something is loose i adjusted the primary to spec took it for a ride still the same i double checked the primary at the tightest point and it was still in spec but there were some spots on the primary chain that felt very loose but it said adjust at tightest point so i did i am lost the clutch shifts smooths and i dont hear the noise in 1st or2nd gear i have not tried to adjust the clutch cause it feels fine does anyone have any suggestions on what this might be thanks ahead for any advice or if anyone else had this issue and knows what it is

 

first Harley? if so maybe you were doing what i was doing when i bought mine
2 months ago and shifting too soon and bogging the transmission.
i know anything under 40 I'm only in 3rd with all of my Japanese bikes i would
be in 5th gear by then.
hell, the only time i hit 5th now is if I'm on the highway, its like overdrive.

 

check all spots of the primary. While you want to adjust it at it's tightest spot, the rest of the chain should also be within spec, so rotate it and check multiple spots. If you notice a substantial difference between tight and loose areas of the chain, you may wanna pull the primary so you can beter examine the chain to make sure it's within spec, and also check the chain sprockets for wear. Another thing I mentioned in another thread, is that the chain adjuster shoe can wear grooves into it, and the chain can hop up and down on the grooves causeing the chain to go overly tight to overly loose, but pulling the primary to check the shoe directly is necessary so you can inspect it directly.

 

thanks guys i adjusted the clutch as it said in the manual and that actually help still doing it a little but not nearly as bad this is actually my 2nd harley my first one was a 1980 sportster that i gave to my dad cause i was moving and couldnt take it the primary is still an issue because it is out of spec in some places and i can not get it to be in spec everwhere so i guess i will take the primary off this weekend and check everything the guy i got the bike from did not properly maintinence this bike at all i guess he just got on it and rode so i am slowly but surely going to check everything over i did a compression check and i got 165 front cylinder and 165 for the rear one also the manual only said it has to be above 120 and within 10psi does the readings i got seem high to any of you guys