K Cool. I don't think you need to pull the jets yet. See The thing that I don't like is in the second video when you muffle the exhaust it gets quieter. If it was an exhaust leak, wouldn't it get louder? Go to auto zone and get a compression tester. They have them as cheap as $25. All we want to do is confirm that the front cylinder and the rear cylinder are within 10% of each other. It's real easy to do and you don't have to go to your local indy to diagnose it. Think of it like an insurance policy. There are a lot of good people around that will help ya.

 

Tony could I suggest a mechanics stethoscope or a long screwdriver to your ear to hear where the tick is coming from.

 

That would be a good choice as well...

 

Well, the speakers on my desktop computer clearly suck. I just listened to the video on my laptop and can hear the tick quite well. I think starting with a compression and a leakdown test is good advice.

A quick way we used to check for burnt exhaust valves (pretty common on old chevy small blocks) is to hold a dollar bill across the exhaust so that the exhaust gas flaps it. If you have a burnt exhaust valve it will suck the bill in every so often. I imagine it would work on a Harley, but I've never tried it.

 

Harbor Freight might be a place to look for a compression tester also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/quick-c...ter-95187.html

 

Here's a pic of the plugs. The left is the front, right is the rear. Also jets are 46/185 which were changed out when I went with the Ness Big Sucker last year. Definitely not too lean.



Thanks!
Tony

 

Pulled the rear pipe again this morning and replaced the gasket. I've included a pic of the old gasket. Also did not see any carbon around the o2 bungs or the pipe flanges.


I did try the dollar bill and it would get sucked in every couple seconds.


It will be the beginning of next week before I get a chance to pick up a compression tester. Will it hurt to ride it if it is a burnt valve?


Thanks!
Tony

 

How about that pressure test I've read about on hear. Compressed air to a fitting to the spark plug hole then just listen for leaks? It's the easiest way to check the valves isn't it without having the testers?

I can't hear the tick playing it on my iPhone at all. Did you try the stethoscope?

 

Didn't try a stethoscope yet KP. Messed with it a while this morning after getting in from work. Just pulled the pipe, changed the exhaust gasket, put the pipe back on and pulled the plugs to see what they looked like. Heading back to work shortly.


I'm not sure about the compressed air versus a pressure test...it's all new to me.

 

Well a leak down test is the best way to find a burnt valve, once you have your compression tester you can use it for leak down, just hook it to a compressor on that cyclinder and listen to hear if it hissing out the exhaust.
Riding it probably won't hurt it more than it already is, I imagine the seat is shot, so, going to need the heads redone.
You have got to remember we are diagnosing over the internet, listening to a video, sooooo, don't jump to any conclusions until you do the tests.