I've just got my '06 Sportster 883 XL with 7k miles on the clock. Bike runs great but has a ticking noise comming out from an engine (probably the front cylinder but it's hard to determine). The noise is constant, easy to recognize but not too loud. It is there all the time from the moment engine starts no matter if bike is cold or warm. Is this a normal engine behavior?

PS I've noticed (when its cold) bike can't start without a choke even the weather is sunny and very hot.

 

sounds normal. I believe they all sound like a sewing machine. You can change to synthetic oil and quiets it a little.

 

Unless ticking is excessively loud is probably normal .. 99% of all Sporties need to use the choke first crank in the morning even if it's 90 degrees, after it's warmed up and stopped should not have to unless has sat over 2 hours ..

 

Yep, had to choke it every time it sat for more than a few hours. After the 1200 kit it don't need it except for when it's cold or maybe if it sat for a week or so.

I notice the ticking is a bit louder in N or with the clutch in. Put a load on the engine and it gets a bit better. Or maybe it's just harder to hear it over the exhaust.

 

Do some head work and toss some cams in and listen to it sing. lol


Like said above.....its perfectly normal.

 

Sewing machine on crack... sounds about right.

 

Thanks guys, very useful replies. I've bought Motul 3000 4t oil (wasn't able to find HD oil in the city), but some dudes told me that this isn't appropriate oil for my bike and that I should use only HD oil. Is this true? I've found this link http://www.wishd.com/dlrindexsend_pg...000+4T+OIL.htm and it says otherwise but I'm still concerned.

 

Assuming the Motul is the appropriate weight, it will be just fine in your bike.

 

That would be the fuel pump. Gets people all of the time. Had a guy come in the shop a while back asking about that.

 

Never thought I would hear "ticking is normal"