When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Hey Guys, looking for a little input here on the low rider s. I've got a '17 with about 23k miles on it and I'm taking it to the dealer this week because it has very noticeable noise that seems to be coming from the valve train. Sounds like like maybe rockers, valve springs, or something else in the heads but it's hard to tell by just listening to it. 1800 miles ago I took the bike in because it had developed a noisy clicking sound while on a road trip, and the dealer ended up replacing the cams, cam chain, follower, lifters, push rods, and related parts at the bottom end. I feel like this is a lot of **** to have go wrong on a bike this new and I'm wondering if other FXDLS owners are seeing similar reliability issues. I love the bike, but I'm worried that it might be spending a lot more time in the shop if I keep riding it.
It’s a big inch motor, big motors can sometimes be “more “ in that mean just more of everything, more work and possibly more trouble....heard similar stories on FB usually lifters...
All depending on how hard you have been riding it, it may be time for some freshening up work on the motor. Our 110 motors do have some weaknesses, and seeing how you have been modding the bike, it may be time to turn your attention to the motor. Now this is just me, but I would go thru the whole motor seeing you have had some issues already. The lifters are definitely an issue, and have may already caused (even though you have replaced them) damage to the top end if they got loose and the pushrods hammered the rockers. You can have this nickel and dime you, or pull the motor and do it right. If you do pull it apart, get the crank balanced, trued and welded. Doing a timken conversion will make the bottom end bullet-proof. S&S lifters and pushrods will button up that weakness. Make sure everything else is up to spec, and you will have a motor that will go for a long time without issues.
All depending on how hard you have been riding it, it may be time for some freshening up work on the motor. Our 110 motors do have some weaknesses, and seeing how you have been modding the bike, it may be time to turn your attention to the motor. Now this is just me, but I would go thru the whole motor seeing you have had some issues already. The lifters are definitely an issue, and have may already caused (even though you have replaced them) damage to the top end if they got loose and the pushrods hammered the rockers. You can have this nickel and dime you, or pull the motor and do it right. If you do pull it apart, get the crank balanced, trued and welded. Doing a timken conversion will make the bottom end bullet-proof. S&S lifters and pushrods will button up that weakness. Make sure everything else is up to spec, and you will have a motor that will go for a long time without issues.
Again IMHO,
Dave
Thanks for the input Dave. So basically forget about having warranty work done, and get to a shop that can fix it right? I think you're probably right about the bad lifters maybe causing some other damage to the top end, the mechanic at Harley mentioned that as well. When they did the work on the cam chain, and all that, they put in the se255 cams, which I gather are a different profile than the stock cams in that motor. Sounds like a spendy fix, gonna have to think about that for a little bit.
I believe I know exactly what youre talking about (2017 lrs, 117 se, 25k Miles). To me it sounds like a far worse version of the noise that rockouts/rocker lockers was created for.
I replaced my lifters thinking that was the issue but now Im fairly certain its either the rocker plate assemblies or valve springs being weak and causing the rocker plates to be louder. I installed rockouts in the past but I have decided with 25k on the bike that its time to replace the valves/springs/rocker assemblies. Still doin my research to determine what company and product I will use but with the 117, I want to be sure my heads never fail from worn springs or anything. That noise is godawful and sounds like the whole damn thing is gonna blow.
Fyi, I upgraded my lifters to s&s premiums. Tried the travel limiters but had to remove them (long story) but all hydraulic lifters are gonna tick after sitting for a day or two. Im also upgrading to stiffer valve springs since I was supposed to for the big bore kit anyway
Despite not having the exact answer, I hope this helps.
All depending on how hard you have been riding it, it may be time for some freshening up work on the motor. Our 110 motors do have some weaknesses, and seeing how you have been modding the bike, it may be time to turn your attention to the motor. Now this is just me, but I would go thru the whole motor seeing you have had some issues already. The lifters are definitely an issue, and have may already caused (even though you have replaced them) damage to the top end if they got loose and the pushrods hammered the rockers. You can have this nickel and dime you, or pull the motor and do it right. If you do pull it apart, get the crank balanced, trued and welded. Doing a timken conversion will make the bottom end bullet-proof. S&S lifters and pushrods will button up that weakness. Make sure everything else is up to spec, and you will have a motor that will go for a long time without issues.
Again IMHO,
Dave
I'm with Dave. Sounds like it was definitely a lifters problem and might have caused some damage. Time to pull the motor
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
2017 FXDLS issues
