Dealerships say that it is a normal sound...

[JimmyDee]

2013 TG - When I am moving at highway speeds and let off the throttle then re-apply power I get what sounds like a chain slapping sound. (In fact it will do it at any speed)

While this is my first TG, it is my 12th Harley and I have never experienced this issue with any of the other Harleys. Also currently have a 2013 Limited and like the other 12 it also does not do it.

Maybe I am not explaining it properly, I have had it at 2 dealerships and both say it is normal. Could this be the chain hitting the side of the housing?

Thanks for looking and I would welcome any suggestions.

 

[vettriker68]

2013 TG - When I am moving at highway speeds and let off the throttle then re-apply power I get what sounds like a chain slapping sound. (In fact it will do it at any speed)

While this is my first TG, it is my 12th Harley and I have never experienced this issue with any of the other Harleys. Also currently have a 2013 Limited and like the other 12 it also does not do it.

Maybe I am not explaining it properly, I have had it at 2 dealerships and both say it is normal. Could this be the chain hitting the side of the housing?

Thanks for looking and I would welcome any suggestions.

had the same sound, most of the time when idling on my 2014 tg with a little over 9k mi. I thought it might be the chain tensioner, dealer tore it down and found clutch plates out of tolerance . I have rode 200 mi + and seems to have taken care of the noise

 

[rhino 2]

2013 TG - When I am moving at highway speeds and let off the throttle then re-apply power I get what sounds like a chain slapping sound. (In fact it will do it at any speed)

While this is my first TG, it is my 12th Harley and I have never experienced this issue with any of the other Harleys. Also currently have a 2013 Limited and like the other 12 it also does not do it.

Maybe I am not explaining it properly, I have had it at 2 dealerships and both say it is normal. Could this be the chain hitting the side of the housing?

Thanks for looking and I would welcome any suggestions.

Shot in the dark here, Could be pre-ignition :Shrug:... Are you using the proper octane.?..91+

 

[HDB0B]

Possibly the compensator on the end of the crank shaft. It's kind of like an all metal cush drive for the engine.
Here is a pic of an SE upgraded compensator. Another helpful link > http://gmrperformance.com/products/compensaver/


Boborag:

 

[JimmyDee]

Does not occur at idle, it only happens when decelerating or accelerating. Now that I see the photo that HDBOB posted, I believe that is the chain that is making the noise.

One way to be assured it will happen is to be in third gear or any gear at any RPM, let off the gas then immediately roll on the throttle and it will happen everytime.

 

[msocko3]

Possibly the compensator on the end of the crank shaft. It's kind of like an all metal cush drive for the engine.
Here is a pic of an SE upgraded compensator. Another helpful link > http://gmrperformance.com/products/compensaver/
View attachment 23454

Boborag:

Ding Ding Ding Ding.... We have a winner, its the compensator. Some noise like that is normal, however the compensator on the 2009 - 2013 Triglide is a weak link, its not a matter of if it will go bad, it's a matter of when. Normally when the compensator is going bad it will clunk when you shut the engine down after the primary has warmed up, the clunk will continue to get worse.

The failure is caused by lack of lubrication, the design Harley is using is not being lubricated properly for all the stress it is under. They have made many changes in the design trying solve the problem, the redesign for 2014 seems to be lasting a little longer.

 

[JimmyDee]

Ding Ding Ding Ding.... We have a winner, its the compensator. Some noise like that is normal, however the compensator on the 2009 - 2013 Triglide is a weak link, its not a matter of if it will go bad, it's a matter of when. Normally when the compensator is going bad it will clunk when you shut the engine down after the primary has warmed up, the clunk will continue to get worse.

The failure is caused by lack of lubrication, the design Harley is using is not being lubricated properly for all the stress it is under. They have made many changes in the design trying solve the problem, the redesign for 2014 seems to be lasting a little longer.

Is it likely to be the compensator if no 'clunk' is present?

 

[Fusionfool]

Had my compensator changed at 15K under warranty, the one they replace with is a newer design with what was described as a part added that looks like a orange squeezer. I those the oil into the compensator better. After having mine replaced the dealer said they even changed it more now on the 15 model year. If still under warranty be sure to get it done before it runs out.

 

[msocko3]

Is it likely to be the compensator if no 'clunk' is present?

It is possible to still be the compensator, a little amount of noise at slower speeds is normal. At freeway speeds it shouldn't be making noise. The lack of lubrication causes fretting and wear to begin very quickly. The only thing which helps the compensator last a little longer is running Formula + oil in the primary, it seems to stand up to the pressure a little better than some of the thinner oils. Like I said, its not a matter of if, its a matter of when the compensator will need replaced.

 

[JimmyDee]

It is possible to still be the compensator, a little amount of noise at slower speeds is normal. At freeway speeds it shouldn't be making noise. The lack of lubrication causes fretting and wear to begin very quickly. The only thing which helps the compensator last a little longer is running Formula + oil in the primary, it seems to stand up to the pressure a little better than some of the thinner oils. Like I said, its not a matter of if, its a matter of when the compensator will need replaced.

View attachment 23505

I am good on the Formula 1, I'm just a little unclear on when you say the noise should be noticed. My bike's transmission is like a church mouse until you come off the throttle and then immediately accelerate. It is only at this time do I hear the chain slapping sound.

If the problem is the compensator, are you saying that a noise can be heard during a constant speed at anytime?

Thank you,
Jim

 

[HDB0B]

The compensator is at the end of the crank shaft .... nothing to do with the transmission. Consider it a slip joint .... when you have a load on it .... it slips to side A ..... come off the load and it slips to side B. When it changes sides it "clunks". The type of oil you use in the primary case can change the sound of that "clunk". Normal running it should not make a noise until you change that loaded or not loaded crank shaft factor. I use Formula + in my primary.

My driving style is very smooth ( helicopter pilot / instructor / fixed wing) and I hardly ever hear it.

I had the same question when I first got my trike. I came off a dual belt drive 1983 FXDG that made no noise!!

Correct .... newer 103s use a compensator more similar to the SE one I posted a picture of. epper:

Bob orag:

 

[Gorilla]

The compensator is like a shock absorber that rotates. Its function is to take some of the jerking out of the primary chain as it drives the transmission through the clutch. What you describe as happening is what the compensator does, but it sounds from what you are saying that maybe it is getting weak. When there is steady pressure then no you should not hear any extra sound like you are saying that you do not hear. I would not worry much about it for now unless your warrantee is getting close to running out. As the compensator wears what will start to happen is there can be a POP through the exhaust either when you start the motor or when you shit it down. That usually means the compensator has worn to the point that it needs replacement. The noise that you are hearing now IMO won't hurt anything it will just wear more then will have to be replaced.

 

[Bikerbozo]

My compensator has been replaced multiple times. Usually lasts 25k. Went once at 11k. Even the newer one with oil slinger only lasted this same short span.
HD mechanic has shown me the seperate parts multiple times. Complete junk. His words also.

 

[JimmyDee]

This has been a real education with great information and I thank everyone very much.

My love affair started with motorcycles in the mid 60's and with Harleys in the mid 80's. I feel that all Harleys are noise makers, but in all that I have owned this is the most noisy and it was concerning.

Too bad that Mr HD can't channel a little R&D $$ toward this area.

Thank you again,
Jim

 

[msocko3]

This has been a real education with great information and I thank everyone very much.

My love affair started with motorcycles in the mid 60's and with Harleys in the mid 80's. I feel that all Harleys are noise makers, but in all that I have owned this is the most noisy and it was concerning.

Too bad that Mr HD can't channel a little R&D $$ toward this area.

Thank you again,
Jim

The sad thing is Harley had a good compensator design on the 99 - 06 twin cams. The compensator on my 06 Ultra has close to 40,000 miles on it, most of them being hammered with a pretty stout 95" build. The same compensator is now being pounded on by the 120" engine I built a couple years ago, its still going strong and makes not a sound.

 

[trikermutha]

I put on the new SE comp and was pissed the thing was fretting from day one. When I opened it up I was shocked the lack of lubrication the unit had which was causing the fretting..

Take a chance and wait for the thing to fail or keep putting more good money into bad..

I almost went with the extra oil pan or the BDL comp ..never did either as I traded in the trike..

well anyway Good Luck..

 

[JimmyDee]

I put on the new SE comp and was pissed the thing was fretting from day one. When I opened it up I was shocked the lack of lubrication the unit had which was causing the fretting..

Take a chance and wait for the thing to fail or keep putting more good money into bad..

I almost went with the extra oil pan or the BDL comp ..never did either as I traded in the trike..

well anyway Good Luck..

We purchased a 2013 Limited and a 2013 TG, the Limited is smooth and quiet, the TG has had the 'clunk' from the beginning. Other than the TG 'clunk' it has been great. What did you trade for?

 

[DK Custom Products]

No doubt the current, and previous couple, design of the compensator leaves a lot to be desired. I've lost count over my last several bikes how many I've had replaced under warranty.

I think part of the problem, and possibly the sound the OP is hearing, is the automatic chain tensioner. Even though we don't need to manually adjust the primary chain tension anymore, I think the chain auto adjust that has been in the TC's for X? number of year does not work as well as a manually adjusted one.

I could be wrong...just my observation.

Kevin

 

[trikermutha]

We purchased a 2013 Limited and a 2013 TG, the Limited is smooth and quiet, the TG has had the 'clunk' from the beginning. Other than the TG 'clunk' it has been great. What did you trade for?

Most of them do clunk but when they clunk rattle/knock its time to fix or try too..

ended up with the Can Am Spyder. I tested it several times before the purchase.
Now its time to sell all the Harley items off the bike..and some

 

[msocko3]

No doubt the current, and previous couple, design of the compensator leaves a lot to be desired. I've lost count over my last several bikes how many I've had replaced under warranty.

I think part of the problem, and possibly the sound the OP is hearing, is the automatic chain tensioner. Even though we don't need to manually adjust the primary chain tension anymore, I think the chain auto adjust that has been in the TC's for X? number of year does not work as well as a manually adjusted one.

I could be wrong...just my observation.

Kevin

I've found the auto chain tensioner keeps the chain tighter than I adjust my manual on my 06 which makes no noise from the primary. IMO the auto tensioner is another item Harley shouldn't have added, the manual adjuster worked just fine.