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[efrbc1]

Still trying to figure this one out.  Was riding Sunday on the Interstate and felt a slight hesitation at about 80.  Started to hear a "ticking" noise which was quite loud when I got off the exit.  Sounded down low (primary area) but no other symptoms.  Bike ran fine, shifted fine, just a very noticeable rattle.  Got it home and started looking.  Drained Primary fluid which was dirty but no metal.  Pulled the primary chain inspection cover and found excessive play in the primary chain.  Had the primary off about 2K miles ago to replace a shift shaft seal and bike has been running fine since.

Need to do some digging to see why the primary chain is so loose.  My question is about the compensator.  Is there a way to inspect it without taking it apart/off the bike?  Still not sure that this is the issue as in believe the 2005 compensators are the "good" ones.  Bike has about 56K on it and regularly maintained.  Never had an issue with a primary chain loosening up for
no reason but I'll be pulling the primary cover for a complete inspection.  Any other suggestions are welcomed.

Chris 

[Twolanerider]

Still trying to figure this one out.  Was riding Sunday on the Interstate and felt a slight hesitation at about 80.  Started to hear a "ticking" noise which was quite loud when I got off the exit.  Sounded down low (primary area) but no other symptoms.  Bike ran fine, shifted fine, just a very noticeable rattle.  Got it home and started looking.  Drained Primary fluid which was dirty but no metal.  Pulled the primary chain inspection cover and found excessive play in the primary chain.  Had the primary off about 2K miles ago to replace a shift shaft seal and bike has been running fine since.

Need to do some digging to see why the primary chain is so loose.  My question is about the compensator.  Is there a way to inspect it without taking it apart/off the bike?  Still not sure that this is the issue as in believe the 2005 compensators are the "good" ones.  Bike has about 56K on it and regularly maintained.  Never had an issue with a primary chain loosening up for
no reason but I'll be pulling the primary cover for a complete inspection.  Any other suggestions are welcomed.

Chris

Those compensators were "the good ones" so far as parts reliability is concerned.  They did have an issue with simply coming loose though.  Make sure the comp nut is properly torqued using the "new" torque procedure that was released when the bikes were about a year old.  I'm not where I can look it up at home right now but if memory is good the torque is pull to 90 ft pds than another 45 degrees.

[efrbc1]

It was reassembled properly - followed the new procedure.  Quite a PITA cleaning all the old Loctite out and prepping the threads.  I'll check it once the cover is off.  The noise never changed - accelerating, decelerating.  I'm pretty sure it's the slack in the chain, just need to find out why.

[havenolife]

are you sure the shoe just did not come loose

[FlaHeatWave]

When you open it up, see if any play on the Clutch side ~ could be the Clutch Hub Splines??

[Twolanerider]

When you open it up, see if any play on the Clutch side ~ could be the Clutch Hub Splines??

Hope not.  That gets expensive and it's a dangerous failure.  So if it's even a thought definitely something he should check. 

[FlaHeatWave]

Hope not.  That gets expensive and it's a dangerous failure.  So if it's even a thought definitely something he should check.

Yea, I'd be taking a good look to determine why all of a sudden a new noise and a loose Chain

Last year, when upgrading the  Charging System to Cycle Electric 3 phase, noticed the Splines fragmenting in the Clutch Hub at 64k miles, no symptoms/signs/noises/chain tight,,, Clutch working fine...

'Found new Clutch Assembly online for $400...

The good side,,, there was no additional damage or labor

The Really Good side,,, 'Caught it before it became catastrophic  

[J.D.]

Replace the nylon locknut holding the shoe assembly to the toothed adjuster mount.  These often loosen and allow the shoe to drop.

[Twolanerider]

The Really Good side,,, 'Caught it before it became catastrophic

I wasn't that lucky on the Road King I had before the Red bike.  Was riding a lot more then than recently so that bike had a few miles.  Was coming down an on ramp on to I80 out west and got on it to get in front of a semi.  First a weird whirring noise then a sick thrashing noise.  No doubt I should have noticed something prior to it turning loose but it never game me enough of a clue.  That was an ugly fix a long way from home.  But, not to get too far off topic, the compensator nut was tight! 

[johnsachs]

Anytime I have a primary cover off a bike that has the single bolt pivot style chain tensioner I always convert the set up to the earlier style with an outboard plate. That boxes in the pad, and won't let it ride down toward the outside of the primary cover from putting strain on the single pivot bolt.
John

[efrbc1]

Update.  Prior to pulling the primary I thought I would check a couple "easier" things as noises on these motors can come from anywhere.  Pulled the pushrod covers and at TDC the rear exhaust pushrod will freely move up and down off of the lifter.  Adjustment nut is tight and same (close) number of threads showing as the others.  The rattle sounds very familiar!

Did not get a chance to pull the lifter to check it but it appears to be collapsed or stuck.  2005 SEEG 103".  Motor is stock except for Zippers 575 gear drive cams.  Called Eric at AMS to get a set of the SE lifters (should have done this years ago) and it will be a few weeks until he gets some more in.  Will pull the lifter later but all fluids look good no metal shavings noted and the pushrod is straight.

Still need to track down the "loose" primary chain but after measuring, it is only slightly out of spec.  Adjuster looks good (it is tight) and everything else I can see looks OK.  Hopefully the lifter is my only problem and hopefully it is minor.

Chris