Hey this is my first post on hdf but been getting a lot of good info from surfing around since I got my 09 Fatbob this past winter.

I bought it used with 3200 miles and have put almost 3000 on it since. About 100 miles ago after I had been riding about 20miles I started hearing a relatively loud ticking sound that I can only describe as a possible valve rattle. It eventually went away but returned again before the end of that ride. I rode one more time and after about 5 miles I got the same thing.

I was about 800 over for the 5000mile service so I dropped it off the other day and had them look into it. They said that they couldn't find anything wrong and it is possible that the oil had broken down to a point to allow a noise and these engines make some noises.

I will be picking it up tomorrow and hope it stays quiet but just wanted to see if anyone has experienced anything like this or can confirm that the oil breaking down makes sense. Thanks for any advice

 

Got about 10 miles on the way home today with some highway speeds and didnt get the sound. The dealer inspected everything possible and found nothing so it seems that the old oil may have broken down enough to allow the rattle when hot. Hopefully doesnt come back on a longer ride.

 

The ticking sound can be normal, it depends on how bad it is really. Any pushrod actuated motor has noise, it's the nature of the beast. Because of tolerances and them having to compensate for heat expansion of various metals, they tend to wind up with a bit of slop in the pushrod/lifter/rocker fit. That slop causes the tick.

It can seem louder, especially if you just added a windshield or just put one on for a ride.