Engine noise

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 2, 2015 | 03:57 PM

Repoguy

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 187

Likes: 6

From: Phoenix Arizona

Engine noise

Ok so my 11 fxdwg has about 16k on the clock, I normally rock a full face but today I ran to the store without my lid, notice that when you really get on it close to the top of the rpm you can hear a ticking.. I can't tell if it's coming from the primary or the top of the engine.. All fluids are good, everything is tight, no new changes or anything to the bike, not sure how long this has been going on because i normally can't hear it with a helmet on.. And like I said I only makes the noise at the top end of the Rpms..

May 2, 2015 | 04:29 PM

motorend

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 214

Likes: 80

From: Florida

It's probably the helmet. My 103 ticks at all rpms. A tick though. Not tapping, knocking, or a thud. In fact mine is more audible in the lower 2k rpms.

May 2, 2015 | 04:53 PM

Repoguy

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 187

Likes: 6

From: Phoenix Arizona

No I can only hear it when I'm not wearing the helmet, but I figured it out, guess I just brapppp too hard, horn bell vibrates so hard it hits the cylinder, I can see a couple tick marks in the fins.. Time for a relocation kit!!!! On another note my new headlight from motoillumination just arrived!!!

May 2, 2015 | 07:41 PM

TinCupChalice

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 10,907

Likes: 8,758

From: Galt's Gulch - MI

Try some good SAE 50 oil like VR1 or even a 60 when it's truly hot temperatures, that top end noise disappears and everything is much happier, HD's really don't care to run light weight multi-weight oil IMO, try a heavier weight oil and you'll like the difference...

May 2, 2015 | 08:46 PM

Repoguy

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 187

Likes: 6

From: Phoenix Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinCupChalice

Did you even read my post? I found the noise. And yes I know I live in AZ and it's got 60 in it now.

May 2, 2015 | 09:02 PM

TinCupChalice

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 10,907

Likes: 8,758

From: Galt's Gulch - MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repoguy

Did you even read my post? I found the noise. And yes I know I live in AZ and it's got 60 in it now.

In fact I did read your posts, at no point did you reveal you were running 60 weight oil, it was merely a suggestion since I saw you live in Phoenix and after all my time there I know all too well how warm it can get, the horn bell will be an easy fix with an additional neoprene washer under the horn bracket...

May 2, 2015 | 11:14 PM

Loner88

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 508

Likes: 2

From: Idaho Panhandle

Probably is just what you found- your horn banging on something. My 2011 FXDB got a bit noisy after 10K; it was a while before I noticed that the noise, a pronounced tick up near the front cylinder head, wasn't bad when the engine was cold, but got much louder when the engine warmed up.

At 53K, last month, I lost the front cylinder on the freeway: valve guide and spring on the front intake valve failed- bent valve stem and a nice ding in the top of the front piston; TTS tuner with a cam and the ESP was voided; $2500 later and now I have a stage 2 103".

Live and learn, fully intended to do the heads last Winter and would have found the shitty valve guide before total failure, but just to busy doing other ****. Have heard that valve guide failures are becoming fairly common on 2010 and 2011 twin cams with high mileage....