Engine Mechanical Topics Discussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.

Engine knocking/rattling noise

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 16, 2015 | 07:03 PM
  #21  
Scrmnvtwins's Avatar
Scrmnvtwins
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
Default

I saw rings on the OD of the crank and rings on the ID of the bronze bearing in the support plate. Do you have access to a dial caliper to measure the diameters and calculate the clearance
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2015 | 07:44 PM
  #22  
dynawg1's Avatar
dynawg1
Tourer
10 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Kingsport, TN
Default

Originally Posted by Scrmnvtwins
I saw rings on the OD of the crank and rings on the ID of the bronze bearing in the support plate...
Caused by debris in the oil and/or crank runout. Lighter scuffing can be polished out with Emory cloth.
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2015 | 07:47 AM
  #23  
nate_dawgg's Avatar
nate_dawgg
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: plainwell, michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Reindeer
I did test the inner cam bearings and the lifters as described. Seem nice and smooth. I can't justify to myself not replacing the lifters, so I ordered a set of S&S to install, if the noise is still there at least I'll know for sure its not the lifters.

And I agree that maybe the noise isn't actually from the cam chest area. I was able to hear it rattling under idle off the bike and it definitely sounded like it was coming from behind the timing cover. Really couldn't hear it at all on the primary side, but was very obvious on the exhaust side. I know how noises can travel through. And its hard to chase a noise on a noisy v-twin with loud exhaust.

Should be able to get it back together this weekend. If the lifters don't fix it...worst case I wasted some time and have an extra set of 'B' lifters.
Did lifters solve your problem? I'm having a similar noise. I did a 98" build and it was very quiet until my oil pump failed and it ran out of oil pressure(luckily I had just pulled out of my driveway and I immediately shut it off) anyway after installing a new fueling oe+ pump and fueling relief valve spring upon fire up it sounded like a lifter Failed to pump up. I'm running a bit more aggressive cam than you and some aggressive valve springs and I believe the sound you're hearing is A valve bouncing or smacking the seat. I traced the sound to the front exhaust valve which is the first place oil goes from the filter is front exhaust lifter so it would have ran out of oil first. I pulled it and swapped it to the intake hole and now my sound moved further back making me believe that lifter is on the Fritz. If you solved this with lifters please do tell what do you think about my situation Scott At Hillside?
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2015 | 10:31 PM
  #24  
Reindeer's Avatar
Reindeer
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,069
Likes: 841
From: Suburban Mpls, Minnesota
Supporter
Default

I finally had some time to get the motor back together (just bought a house and moved recently) and got the weather to cooperate, but the noise is gone.

I didn't change anything but the lifters--installed S&S standards--and the noise is gone. I can't see or feel anything wrong with the old lifters, which seems a little odd, but at this point I don't care cause it runs great.

I'm guessing one wasn't pumping up and causing the rattle.
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2015 | 11:56 PM
  #25  
iDodgimus's Avatar
iDodgimus
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

did it sound anything like this

i've been thinking i should take it in for a checkup
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2015 | 01:26 AM
  #26  
nate_dawgg's Avatar
nate_dawgg
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: plainwell, michigan
Default

That is the exact sound. I just had a thought though. When I changed my pump out I installed the fueling oe+ pump and the fueling pressure relief spring. I'm wondering if maybe I'm pumping to much volume and pressure now and maybe the lifter is pumping up tight and acting like a solid lifter. It almost sounds like a solid lifter noise. Idk just a thought.
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2015 | 10:28 AM
  #27  
iDodgimus's Avatar
iDodgimus
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

Thanks!

When I got the BB/cams done my indy did upgrade the spring (along with new lifters and cam chain tensioners)...

I figured it was just a new noise to go along with the new parts but it definitely seems to get worse when it gets hot - guess I'll be emailing him that video today

Originally Posted by nate_dawgg
That is the exact sound. I just had a thought though. When I changed my pump out I installed the fueling oe+ pump and the fueling pressure relief spring. I'm wondering if maybe I'm pumping to much volume and pressure now and maybe the lifter is pumping up tight and acting like a solid lifter. It almost sounds like a solid lifter noise. Idk just a thought.
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2015 | 01:16 PM
  #28  
nate_dawgg's Avatar
nate_dawgg
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: plainwell, michigan
Default

Originally Posted by iDodgimus
Thanks!

When I got the BB/cams done my indy did upgrade the spring (along with new lifters and cam chain tensioners)...

I figured it was just a new noise to go along with the new parts but it definitely seems to get worse when it gets hot - guess I'll be emailing him that video today
Well I changed out my spring again and put the stock spring back in the relief valve to no avail. It's still hammering pretty good. I'm almost certain it's a lifter at this point.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 29, 2015 | 02:24 PM
  #29  
iDodgimus's Avatar
iDodgimus
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

i emailed the video to my indy and said to check the heat shields and exhaust brackets... i will but i'm pretty sure it's in the cam chest...

good luck, i'll keep you posted with that happens over here

Originally Posted by nate_dawgg
Well I changed out my spring again and put the stock spring back in the relief valve to no avail. It's still hammering pretty good. I'm almost certain it's a lifter at this point.
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2015 | 03:19 PM
  #30  
nate_dawgg's Avatar
nate_dawgg
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: plainwell, michigan
Default

Originally Posted by iDodgimus
i emailed the video to my indy and said to check the heat shields and exhaust brackets... i will but i'm pretty sure it's in the cam chest...

good luck, i'll keep you posted with that happens over here
Sounds good man. I'm ordering lifters Friday.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:03 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE