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[Phantom309]

First one ... I noticed a howling noise in the front at speed going around turns/leaning & when u straighten out it goes away. Please don't tell me the front wheel bearings r shot already with only 11k miles!

#2 .... When pulling out from a dead stop while releasing the clutch I get a sort of chirping noise that goes away when the clutch is fully engaged once rolling. Seems like the only time I hear it is anytime the clutch is partially slipped. I'm easy with a clutch & use next to no throttle (or none at all) when pulling out. Is this an early warning my compensator is on its way out already?

I absolutely love this bike more than any others I've owned over the years but its really starting to piss me off. My old 05 SEEG (which I also loved)  had so many problems I traded it for a new 07 GL 1800 ... don't wanna go that route again. The GW was fun but u all know what brought me back here .... I missed that style & sound u only get with a Harley. After spending a couple hours this morning reading about compensator problems HD is once again starting to leave a bad taste in my mouth again. I may have to re-think my decision of skipping the extended warranty when the factory warranty is up this spring.

WTF doesn't HD fix all these petty problems that plague so many of us? I don't abuse my bike & maintain it well myself. All I want is a good reliable bike that won't put me in the poorhouse once the warranty expires.

[dlaws01]

WTF doesn't HD fix all these petty problems that plague so many of us? I don't abuse my bike & maintain it well myself. All I want is a good reliable bike that won't put me in the poorhouse once the warranty expires.


What you just said is what all the rest of us want too.

[GregKhougaz]

Your first sound sounds like a cupped tire.  If the tire has 11,000 miles, that is very likely the problem.  Look at the tread carefully from the side.  First thing of course to check the tire pressure.  You cannot fix a cupped tire but it may be time to replace it.  Is it a D-407 or 408?

[efrbc1]

I would check both tires for pressure and wear.  I run Metzlers and once the rear "flattens out" a bit it will whine in the turns.  Front will do the same about halfway through the second rear tire - I change the front every other rear tire change.

Ideas on the chirping would be warped/bad clutch plate(s) or possibly in need of a fluid change (primary and/or the hydraulic line fluid).  Mine has almost 40K and no issues.  The compensators on the "older" CVO's seem to hold up better than the newer ones.  If it has ever been off, you might want to check it to make sure it is tight.  HD came out with an updated tightening bulletin several years ago.

Chris

[Phantom309]

Thanks, u guys figured out #1 but the location of the noise fooled me ... not coming from the front after all. The rear tire has been cupped for a while on both sides ... never dawned on me a cupped tire made that noise til u mentioned it. I doubt that pressure is an issue since I check them weekly, I run 36/front & 38-40/rear. What causes a tire to cup?

I only have about 3k miles on pri. oil & its at the proper level. I don't think any of the plates r warped ... clutch action is smooth plus I baby it. This isn't a CVO so no hydraulic clutch. Should I pull the whole pri. cover to check the comp. nut on an '11 103 with my mileage?

[muddypaws]

I think the first problem is a wheel bearing.Mine did the same.

[cahdbiker]

Phantom309, on your first issue, I am betting wheel bearings. Mine made a howling noise on the way back from Arkansas last summer and when I took it in the Dealer said both wheel bearings were shot 16K. Also replaced compensator at same time. On your number two problem. Definetly check your belt tension ,especially if you have added an chrome inside primary cover from Kuryakayn, or any other after market. At the very back part of the primary whether you have added a cover or not if the drive belt is loose it could come up and touch inner primary upon deceleration. I didn't have this issue on my 09, but I did have this exact problem on my 95 Heritage. Even though belt tension was good the chrome primary cover hung down just a little bit too much. I took a grinder to it and problem was solved. I know the newer bikes have a lot more clearance on top where the belt enters the primary cover to go around the front sprocket so it may not be applicable to you, but this info may help someone else who has put on a cover and now has a chirping belt. However, if you are hearing a howling noise going down for sure have your front wheel bearings checked. Got a little off subject matter here, but when I had the chirping noise on my 95 it drove me nuts for about a week trying to figure it out. Good Luck CAHDBIKER

[Phantom309]

  Now I'm not sure if first noise is from bad front wheel bearings or cupped rear tire? ... want to squeeze a couple more thousand miles from it. Either way that's bs to wear out bearings way before the front tire even needs replaced. R the replacement bearings any  better than the stockers? This would be a real PITA to do every 11k miles. What kind of garbage parts r they using on our bikes?WTF!!!!?

If I were to check the comp. nut myself ... Do I need to get the locking tool or can I get away with putting bike in 1st & have someone hold the rear brake on?

[Midnight Rider]

Put the bike on a jack and rotate the front wheel, check for "wobble" or slack, etc.  That should tell you if it's wheel bearings, either by feel or sound.  If it's bearings, you can find better replacements.

A cupped tire can definitely cause all kinds of unusual noises.  Some tires are just noisy period, but the Dunlops should not be.  I had Bridgestones on a Yamaha Stratoliner (they come stock) and they howled in turns from day one.

[grc]

  Now I'm not sure if first noise is from bad front wheel bearings or cupped rear tire? ... want to squeeze a couple more thousand miles from it. Either way that's bs to wear out bearings way before the front tire even needs replaced. R the replacement bearings any  better than the stockers? This would be a real PITA to do every 11k miles. What kind of garbage parts r they using on our bikes?WTF!!!!?

If I were to check the comp. nut myself ... Do I need to get the locking tool or can I get away with putting bike in 1st & have someone hold the rear brake on?

The obvious answer is, the cheapest crap they can find.

As for the compensator nut, you don't have one on your bike.  The nut comment from a previous post is only valid on the '06 and earlier models; the '07 and later models have a totally different compensator.  But that's not to say you can't have a noisy compensator, since the late model design is a POS that is on it's third or fourth revision since 2007.  Check some of the existing threads on the site about the SE Compensator.

Jerry