Evo rattling noise
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
From: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Evo rattling noise
Hello all. I just picked up a nice clean one owner 98 Super Glide with 12000 mi on it. When I got it the motor was bone stock down to the pipes and air box. All I did to it was put some Khrome Werks slip ons on it and a Ness Big sucker (and adjusted the carb of course). I've only had it about a week and a half and had to do a little work to it to get it squared away so I have only managed to put about 150 mi on it. I am getting a noise at idle up to maybe 12-1500 RPM. It sounds pretty much exactly like a BB rattling around in a tin can. Almost sounds like a heat shield that is loose but I have checked everything externally for anything loose 5 times and I am coming up with nothing. Sounds like it's coming from the bottom end. I have also done the "long screwdriver stethoscope" and put it on several areas of the engine and trans and also coming up with nothing. Other odd thing about it is that it is intermittent. Sometimes it's there and then it's not. It can be making the noise and then just stop all of a sudden. All fluids were changed when I got it. Primary chain and clutch were also adjusted. I also installed an oil pressure gauge and a stiffer pressure spring (ERT products) and I have solid oil pressure. Any input would be much appreciated.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
From: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Yes, definitely carb side. Sounds down low, either cam chest or bottom end. I was even thinking possibly trans/oil tank area, but 99% sure it's engine. I was thinking maybe lifters....but listened to the lifter blocks with the screwdriver and got nothing.... I've worked on cars and heard plenty of SB Chevys with ticking lifters and it sounds nothing like that (assuming they sound close to the same). Whereas a lifter has more of a regular interval noise, like I said before this is like a BB bouncing around in a can with no regularity. I will be glad to post a video once I can. Thank you.
Update: Possible clue. I was thinking maybe it has to do with the new Khrome Werks slip ons....maybe they have a manufacturing defect and something is loose vibrating inside. With it idling and making the noise I held a rag over the end of the muffler...noise gone. Take rag off, noise is back. The thing about it though is that I can do it with either muffler separately and the noise goes away. I can move the rag from the front to the rear and same result. I would think if something was rattling around in the front muffler for instance and I put the rag on the rear muffler, it would still be making noise and vice versa. I may just have to pop the mufflers back off and see if I can hear anything bouncing around in there and even put the stockers back on and see if there is a change....
Update: Possible clue. I was thinking maybe it has to do with the new Khrome Werks slip ons....maybe they have a manufacturing defect and something is loose vibrating inside. With it idling and making the noise I held a rag over the end of the muffler...noise gone. Take rag off, noise is back. The thing about it though is that I can do it with either muffler separately and the noise goes away. I can move the rag from the front to the rear and same result. I would think if something was rattling around in the front muffler for instance and I put the rag on the rear muffler, it would still be making noise and vice versa. I may just have to pop the mufflers back off and see if I can hear anything bouncing around in there and even put the stockers back on and see if there is a change....
Last edited by jekyllandglide; Apr 1, 2015 at 01:04 PM. Reason: additional info
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
Before we get too carried away, it was running quietly then he installed new pipes and hHe has already checked the heat shields for his new pipes. IMO the problem is in the pipes or installation. I have found noises like this where a pipe is lightly touching another component or where i left a pipe clamp bolt just loose enough to rattle.
Start at the head and work you way down each pipe looking all around the pipe for anything it could be vibrating against. Get a mirror or something to check the back side thoroughly.
Start at the head and work you way down each pipe looking all around the pipe for anything it could be vibrating against. Get a mirror or something to check the back side thoroughly.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
From: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Well I can't say definitively that no it wasn't there before the pipes and yes it's only there after the install. I only rode the bike one time around the neighborhood before I put the pipes on it. I don't remember hearing it, but I wasn't listening for it either and I was probably more concentrating on the rest of the bike and just riding since I had just gotten it. Like I mentioned before I suppose I can throw the stockers back on real quick and see what happens. But...if 98hotrod is onto something with it changing due to back pressure, then putting the stockers back on it would "cure" it only because obviously they create a ton of back pressure and not because there is something wrong with the Khrome Werks....
As far as something being loose, I have held a rag on all parts of the exhaust and heat shields while it was running and no change but nevertheless rechecking everything and making sure everything is tight is worth a shot
As far as something being loose, I have held a rag on all parts of the exhaust and heat shields while it was running and no change but nevertheless rechecking everything and making sure everything is tight is worth a shot
Trending Topics
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
In '03 I purchased a new FLHTCI and added Stage 1 and SE mufflers. Something inside 1 of the mufflers came loose in the 1st month. It rattled like a washer pinging around inside a can. These mufflers had mufflers inside chrome covers and the dealer replaced the whole muffler chrome and all to solve the rattle.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 55
From: Londonderry, NH
Hello all. I just picked up a nice clean one owner 98 Super Glide with 12000 mi on it. When I got it the motor was bone stock down to the pipes and air box. All I did to it was put some Khrome Werks slip ons on it and a Ness Big sucker (and adjusted the carb of course). I've only had it about a week and a half and had to do a little work to it to get it squared away so I have only managed to put about 150 mi on it. I am getting a noise at idle up to maybe 12-1500 RPM. It sounds pretty much exactly like a BB rattling around in a tin can. Almost sounds like a heat shield that is loose but I have checked everything externally for anything loose 5 times and I am coming up with nothing. Sounds like it's coming from the bottom end. I have also done the "long screwdriver stethoscope" and put it on several areas of the engine and trans and also coming up with nothing. Other odd thing about it is that it is intermittent. Sometimes it's there and then it's not. It can be making the noise and then just stop all of a sudden. All fluids were changed when I got it. Primary chain and clutch were also adjusted. I also installed an oil pressure gauge and a stiffer pressure spring (ERT products) and I have solid oil pressure. Any input would be much appreciated.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
From: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Verdict
So here's what I think its the verdict folks... With the engine off I tapped all over exhaust with a rubber mallet to see if I could hear anything. Was definitely getting a rattling type noise from the from the front muffler area. I held my hand all over heat shields and the crossover, noise still there. So then I started taking things apart to see if I could isolate something. Took the muffler off, noise still there. Then I thought it was coming from the little heat shields on the crossover. Held them down, noise still there. So at this point I thought well fck it all I can do now is take the front header pipe off and go from there. Take it off and lo and behold where the male and female end of the crossover go together there is a little washer and an exhaust gasket. The washer is there to support the gasket. This little washer was loose as a goose and rattling around. I bent it slightly into a oval so when I put it back on it was tight. Put it back together, started it up...no noise. This would explain why when I held a rag to one of the pipes it would stop because the pressure would hold it in place. As soon as it had pressure coming from both sides again it would rattle back and forth. I haven't had a chance to take it out for a ride, but I started it up in the garage and feathered the throttle for a couple minutes and no noise so I am pretty confident that is what it was. So there we go....little 2 cent washer. But hey, better that than something more serious like a bad lifter.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post