Rocker Box Issue

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Nov 19, 2014 | 07:06 AM

dlynch851

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From: Texas

Loud Rocker Box Noise

I figured out i had a leak on the lower rocker box. Got the gaskets replaced top/bottom and breather assembly. I fired it up and did a couple warm up cool down cycles. Finally yesterday i let it warm up and took it for a ride.

I had this horrible metal on metal noise in that rocker box only when I got into higher RPMs. No idea where I could have went wrong, followed the book did all the right torques.

Anybody ever had this issue or can give some guidance. This weekend I might tear it back down again. As we can see weather is not the greatest in the country so plenty of down time.

Thanks.

Nov 19, 2014 | 07:19 AM

nhrider1

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From: Londonderry, NH

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlynch851

There's not a lot that can go wrong in there. Assuming the rockers aren't hitting the covers (they were OK before), possibly a pushrod that wasn't seated on the rocker arm?

Nov 19, 2014 | 07:37 AM

dlynch851

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhrider1

There's not a lot that can go wrong in there. Assuming the rockers aren't hitting the covers (they were OK before), possibly a pushrod that wasn't seated on the rocker arm?

i had the same thoughts as well about the pushrod, but wouldn't it do it at all RPMs? I felt the pushrod covers and I don't feel any bouncing around. Think to easily rectify the problem (before tank and cover pull) i could just collapse the pushrods and then re-adjust them to their proper length again?

Nov 19, 2014 | 08:49 AM

nhrider1

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From: Londonderry, NH

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlynch851

AAH...Adjustable pushrods. Sure you might as well check the adjustment, and make sure a locknut hasn't worked its way loose.

If it doesn't do it at all rpms, maybe a bad lifter? What year bike? and how many miles?

Nov 19, 2014 | 10:03 AM

djl

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From: san antonio

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlynch851

This was your OP, no mention of adjustable pushrods. Provide year and model and details of the work done. When you replace the breather assembly, did you pull the pushrods (not necessary) and reinstall, in which case you could have reversed an intake and an exhaust. Or, if you collapsed the pushrods, the noise could be the result of adjustment. If a lock nut has come loose on an exhaust pushrod, you would not have made it home. You could limp home on one cylinder if an intake pushrod had collapsed. So, several things to look at but we need to know what you did.

Nov 19, 2014 | 11:03 AM

dlynch851

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by djl

didn't pull the pushrod like you said wasn't necessary.

lifters have maybe at most 5k on them, just replaced them in the cam upgrade. they are woods lifters. I know what a loose pushrod is like it happened to me a couple months back, this is not the same issue going on. I will collapse the pushrods and re-adjust to ensure proper seating and post an update.

Nov 19, 2014 | 11:15 AM

djl

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From: san antonio

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlynch851

I don't think an "unseated" pushrod is the problem. The pushrod will either seat in the rocker arm or it won't; there is no half seated position it could take. If you did not adjust the pushrods, you don't need to adjust them again. I know you are trying to avoid removing the tank but, based on what I understand you did, I would be looking in the rocker boxes for clues first.

Did you remove, or loosen, the rocker support plate? May have been necessary on the rear cylinder to remove the breather bolts but should not have been necessary on the front as the breather bolts will come out. Which cylinder is the noise coming from?