I have a 2004 Pitbull that started making a clatter at idle. It seemed to come from the primary drive so I took cover off and ran it for a few seconds and the noise is coming from front sprocket. It seems to be moving on the shaft. I'm new to large twins but road race so I'm pretty handy with tools but don't understand what it's supposed to be doing. I can push the assembly in on the shaft about 3/8" and it seems to be spring loaded as if it is centrifigual. I am assuming that it is defective but any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Front Sprocket question
- Thread starter cmraracer
- Start date
V
Guru
The 04 on earlier (except Bulldog I think) are left side drive. What you have is a compensator sprocket. It does have a spring and has play forward and backwards. Now about being able to push it in? I'm n ot sure about that as if you can do that it seems like the primary chain would be out of line. The sprockets can make a little click clack but I'm not sure how loud you're hearin.
How many miles on the bike?
And maybe some of the pros will chime in and tell ya whats up
How many miles on the bike?
And maybe some of the pros will chime in and tell ya whats up
Moespeeds
Well-Known Member
If you're talking about the front sprocket, the one attached to the engine crank/mainshaft, then it shouldn't have any lateral play. If someone had it apart before you, and they didn't properly tighten the pulley nut, it's possible the mainshaft slipped out of the tapered bearing a little, causing the end play. Clean the pulley threads very well And whack that nut on with a strong impact gun. Run it until there is no more end play in the shaft. Make sure you put red locktite on it, and safety wire it if possible.
V
Guru
Thar be yo answer.:2thumbs:
RADAMS445
RADICAL
I think the squeal I heard before this was the bearing failing which explains why it is loose. Now just to get it off and get a new compensator assembly??? I hope? It looks like the sprocker is seperate but it meshes. I wish I could get a manual but backordered from BigDog. Any other vendors with a 2004 manual?? 150 ft/lbs of torque on nut!! Wow gonna be fun. I'll try heat but impact on crank output scares me!! Thanks guys I'll keep you posted!
V
Guru
Bikers Dream of Atlanta how a post in the for sale catagory for manuals!
Moespeeds
Well-Known Member
The squeal could have been from the stator wobbling if everything wasn't tightened properly. You will probably need a new stator too. Use the impact on the main shaft and trans nut, nothing will get hurt. Just had this conversation with an old mechanic buddy today. Remember if you take off the transmission nut for any reason, it's reverse thread. Front pulley/sprocket nut is standard thread.
stlmikie
I wish I had more money.
When you pull it look at the stator like Moe said. Check to make sure it is still knurled? You may have stripped the stator. I did that and had the knocking. They make one that is a bit heavier that is harder to strip. Im not sure if knurled is the correct term or not but you'll know what i mean when you pull it off. For sure check it. Im guessing it is toast.
NascarNutCase
Well-Known Member
Could be that someone who had it apart last didn't put the shims back in or left some out. I had a compensator that didn't have anything in it for shims. It ended up allowing the primary drive chain to contact the retaining bolt heads for the primary casing. NOT GOOD! Shimed it properly and all is well again.:2thumbs:
Well it turned out that the nut was just loose. It barely took any effort to remove it. I found some thin metal in the case that looked like it was a shim but the guy at the dealer told me that he didn't think there was any shims. I'm still waiting on a manual as I need to test the stator now but I'm sure it's bad. Looks like the vibration I heard was the stator wobbling and I'm sure it's shot. I need the manual so that I have the procedure to remove it. I should be able to locate the wires coming from it and ohm it out. I'm assuming the manual will have a range it should measure out to but I bet i'm gonna find out it's got a broken or shorted coil. Thanks for all the help you guys were correct all along!
Other than your wider tire and off-set primary and transmission you bike is basically like an HD so get a softail manual at your HD store. The primary system is the same and most other parts.
Glad your almost back on the road
Yea Raywood I'm learning! I called S&S about the stator and learned alot about the motor and Big Dog in general. Got a stator coming from J&P and looking at the forum to learn. The whole shim behind compensator thing makes me nervous though. Again thanks everybody. Hoping i'll learn enough to contribute to the forum soon.
