OK, I know that a lot has been asked and said before about Sportster engines making strange noises, including ticking noises that appear to be coming from the valve train.

My 2007 XL 1200R has been doing this ever since I bought it about 8 months ago with only 2900 miles on the clock - it has now done just over 6000 miles. I use synthetic oil which I understand may contribute to the noise.

The ticking sound is very noticable and constantly present - from the moment I start the engine, no matter whether it's cold or hot. I tried to record the sound at speed but I haven't figured out how to avoid the wind noise. So here's a short 20 sec sound clip with the engine warm and the bike parked:

http://s1227.beta.photobucket.com/us...6f91d.mp4.html

The first 10 sec I am holding the mike on the left side of the engine - that's when you can hear the ticking sound best. The second half of the recording I have the mike on the right side of the engine but the exhaust overpowers the ticking sound.

This being my first Sportster/Harley I guess my question is if there's anything I should be concerned about or if it's just part of the deal. Not sure if this is relevant but the Harley workshop manual says that "It is normal for tappets to click when the engine is started [...] Tappets are functioning properly if they become quiet after a few minutes of engine operation."

Any insights/feedback?

 

sounds normal to me. nice bike btw

 

sounds normal, mine is a 2012 and i worried about the loud tappet noise which as you say is more louder from the left side and everyone i spoke to said yep thats normal sporty engine! I even started another new bike up at the dealer and again sounded the same! I have got used to it now (almost lol) and the clunking gearbox that also seems to be traditional HD sounds! I run the normal HD oil in mine as peeps have said synthectic can increase the noise and i figured the normal oil was there from new so cant be that bad! again nice bike

 

Ride that thing tell it stops,their noisy that's why we love them

 

That's how a sporty sounds...if it bothers you, try a full face helmet...all you will hear is the exhaust

 

I have a 2007 XL1200R and mine is a little louder than yours. Normal, wouldn't worry at all about it.

 

Kiwi, I quietened mine "some" using RevTech 25w60, it is dino oil but I'm not sold on synthetic, my engine was the noisiest when using Harley's Syn3.

 

Thank you for the feedback, that's reassuring. I can live with the noise as long as I know it's OK.

I am using Syn3 at the moment but may try the RevTech oil next time to see if that makes a difference.

 

1200Cdriver, which one are you using, RevTech's 35302 (25W60 Pure Advanced Oil for Harley Big Twins & XL) or their 35048 oil?

I am thinking of switching to RevTech too.

Thanks.