Valve train noise?? Lean condition?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 110
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From: Northern NJ
Valve train noise?? Lean condition?
As a new Harley owner, I'll still paying close attention to noises I hear and trying to decide if they are "normal" or not.
Most of the time, when I'm riding my '06 Super Glide, I hear what sounds like valve noise, with them making a clickety-clickety sound. I take that as normal, as other bikes I had have made that sound.
At certain engine load condition, the clicking sound almost becomes a clacking sound. Example. Cruising in 3rd gear right around 40 mph. Accelerate towards 45 with just a little bit of throttle. (Not a full roll). Right before I shift into 4th, the valve seem much noisier, almost as if the engine might be starving for fuel. I don't think it's an engine knock since it's not that sharp a sound.
Sound also happens in 4th around 50-53 mph before dropping into 5th gear.
If you give it a full hard roll on the throttle, it seems to be less loud, but then again, the exhaust is much louder so I can't hear as well.
Typical / normal sound? Too lean a mixture?
Most of the time, when I'm riding my '06 Super Glide, I hear what sounds like valve noise, with them making a clickety-clickety sound. I take that as normal, as other bikes I had have made that sound.
At certain engine load condition, the clicking sound almost becomes a clacking sound. Example. Cruising in 3rd gear right around 40 mph. Accelerate towards 45 with just a little bit of throttle. (Not a full roll). Right before I shift into 4th, the valve seem much noisier, almost as if the engine might be starving for fuel. I don't think it's an engine knock since it's not that sharp a sound.
Sound also happens in 4th around 50-53 mph before dropping into 5th gear.
If you give it a full hard roll on the throttle, it seems to be less loud, but then again, the exhaust is much louder so I can't hear as well.
Typical / normal sound? Too lean a mixture?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,299
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From:
RE: Valve train noise?? Lean condition?
Mine definitely makes a lot of noise suddenly when switching to 5th, which I try not to do until about 50 mph. I just got the call about 2 minutes ago while reading your post that my bike is ready to be picked up from its first 1,000 mile service. We'll see if there's any news to post in the other thread I started this a.m.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities
RE: Valve train noise?? Lean condition?
ORIGINAL: but Ill try 2 try
Mine definitely makes a lot of noise suddenly when switching to 5th, which I try not to do until about 50 mph. I just got the call about 2 minutes ago while reading your post that my bike is ready to be picked up from its first 1,000 mile service. We'll see if there's any news to post in the other thread I started this a.m.
Mine definitely makes a lot of noise suddenly when switching to 5th, which I try not to do until about 50 mph. I just got the call about 2 minutes ago while reading your post that my bike is ready to be picked up from its first 1,000 mile service. We'll see if there's any news to post in the other thread I started this a.m.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: pa
RE: Valve train noise?? Lean condition?
SWS,
I had a previous post on here about the exact same (sounding) condtion. A very noticible hollow metallic clicking at the top of each gear when holding rpm's there for a a few.
I also had problems with stalling and hard starting, which at the time seemed unrelated to the noise you describe. I tried to have my 8deg injectors changed, which the dealer at first refused to do. Well, after raising hell, they finally did and the bike now runs great. Interesting enough, the noise you described, went away as well. It might have been a "heat" related problem due to a lean condition as you suspect. Hope this helps.
I had a previous post on here about the exact same (sounding) condtion. A very noticible hollow metallic clicking at the top of each gear when holding rpm's there for a a few.
I also had problems with stalling and hard starting, which at the time seemed unrelated to the noise you describe. I tried to have my 8deg injectors changed, which the dealer at first refused to do. Well, after raising hell, they finally did and the bike now runs great. Interesting enough, the noise you described, went away as well. It might have been a "heat" related problem due to a lean condition as you suspect. Hope this helps.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Valve train noise?? Lean condition?
Some owners are claiming that mobil1vtwin 20w50 reduces that noice considerably. Mine does it too...running syn3 until the 1000 service then trying mobil1.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 426
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From:
RE: Valve train noise?? Lean condition?
I really never noticed any odd noise,but I always run Mobil one. Good Luck.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,231
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RE: Valve train noise?? Lean condition?
After the 1000 mile service on my FXDLI. They put Syn 3 in all of the holes. Worst thing I ever did. The valve train noise was horrible. The dealer passed it off as normal twin cam running Syn 3.
I got that crap out and went with Mobile V-Twin in engine and primary, and Mobile 75/95 in the transmission.
I still have one tick that comes in around 2200 and 3200 when the engine is not under load. When I get a chance to get back to the dealer we will have another discussion.
I am gonna have to get a mechanic that doesn't ride with straight pipes. Maby he will be able to hear it.
I got that crap out and went with Mobile V-Twin in engine and primary, and Mobile 75/95 in the transmission.
I still have one tick that comes in around 2200 and 3200 when the engine is not under load. When I get a chance to get back to the dealer we will have another discussion.
I am gonna have to get a mechanic that doesn't ride with straight pipes. Maby he will be able to hear it.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Valve train noise?? Lean condition?
Well my bike goes in on 5/22 for the new injectors and a stage1. So, I'm having syn3 put back in to see if that's the ticking root cause. If it still ticks I'll keep the syn3 in for the entire ride home.
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