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[CowboyBagger]

I've noticed over the last month or two that it seems that I've aquired a lot of drive line slack.  Very noticeable in upper gears between accel and decel.  I'm thinking primary chain tensioners.  Took the bike to Robin at Gail's HD in Kansas City to check out.  For those more knowledgeable, what would likely be creating this situation?

Cowboy

[Boatman]

The rubber in the rear drive pulley could be damaged.

[ozrider]

How many miles it clocked up ?

It could be one component of the drive train, or a combination of a few if the miles are getting up there.

Correct belt tension, as Boatman says, could be worn Cush drive damper, worn tranny output drive pully loose on shaft, clutch/input shaft spline worn,,, me thinks if there was excessive wear in the primary, as in chain or compensator that you would be hearing strange noises coming from that area as well.

[CowboyBagger]

How many miles it clocked up ?

It could be one component of the drive train, or a combination of a few if the miles are getting up there.

Correct belt tension, as Boatman says, could be worn Cush drive damper, worn tranny output drive pully loose on shaft, clutch/input shaft spline worn,,, me thinks if there was excessive wear in the primary, as in chain or compensator that you would be hearing strange noises coming from that area as well.

Got about 11K on it for miles.

Cowboy

[sadunbar]

I've noticed over the last month or two that it seems that I've aquired a lot of drive line slack.  Very noticeable in upper gears between accel and decel.  I'm thinking primary chain tensioners.  Took the bike to Robin at Gail's HD in Kansas City to check out.  For those more knowledgeable, what would likely be creating this situation?

Cowboy

Could be your compensator, your "cush drive" rubber inserts, primary chain tension, rear drive belt tension...  Could be some or all of these - or a combination of a few of them...   

Good luck!

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

Mine has always been sloppy as well as all of my other Ultras compared to a Softail transmission. However, at 38,000 miles on my 08FLHTCUSE, it has maintained that same feel with no problems except compensator replacement.

[willyB]

I'm keeping my eye on this one. Me guesses compensator.

[NH Bulldog]

I had my bike at the dealer for the 10k service and mentioned this problem.  They kept it for a few days, pulled it apart and checked everything.  My thought was either the rear isolation damper, or a loose primary chain.  They found everything to be ok, and told me it was a little "play" in the transmission drive/gears and that everything was within acceptable tolerances, but logged the complaint with HD so there is record of it.  I have an extended-extended warranty, and when that expires, I will be on my next new bike so I am not overly concerned.  Bike has 14k on it now and I have tuned it out of my mind when riding (and avoid low rpm's in higher gears).   

[chaos901]

Might be a stupid question, but arere you certain that the drive belt is at the right tension?  I have had that be too loose and it certainly creates some play. 

[Chief2505]

My 13 CVO Ultra does the same thing, has since day one and I have 12,000 miles on it now. It is going in next week for a list of things so we will see what they have to say about it other than "they all do that"

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

I have had  five Ultras in the past 10 years, three of them CVOs, and they all did it. Try jacking up the bike and let it run in gear and take a listen. Sounds like the whole tranny is going to self destruct. Took first Ultra back to dealer only to hear other touring bikes doing the same thing. However, in about 200,000 miles on these bikes, I never had anything break from drivel line slop.

[NH Bulldog]

As an addition to my earlier post.  My 2007 did this also, but once I started running Redline Shockproof in the transmission, it was greatly reduced.  When we traded for the 2012, we had over 35k miles on the bike with all of it riding 2-up and about 80% of the time towing a trailer.   

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

Agree on the Redline Shockproof. Does help.