Not a big M8 problem but....
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
Not a big M8 problem but....
The M8's I've ridden make a ticking sound from about 1900 rpm through to 2200 rpm (and at higher rpm's on neutral throttle, though not as loud). It really sounds like tappet noise. Many years ago my brother reduced the noise in his '82 shovel by shimming the end play on his rockers. He found his end play from the factory was around .040" and spec was supposed to be something like .004" or so.
I'm sure an easy solution for me will be to replace the stock exhaust which will happen down the road, but meanwhile I'm wondering if anybody's looked at rocker end play. This sub-forum seems like the best place to ask. Not a lot of feeler gauge or caliper work going on over at the M8 sub-forum.
I'm sure an easy solution for me will be to replace the stock exhaust which will happen down the road, but meanwhile I'm wondering if anybody's looked at rocker end play. This sub-forum seems like the best place to ask. Not a lot of feeler gauge or caliper work going on over at the M8 sub-forum.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,315
Likes: 1,663
From: Tampa
More than likely it's because there's two valves running off one rocker. As the valves seat the lifter will only assume the play of one of the valves, the one who's stem is further up from the head casting. The other valve will have an opening between the valve stem and the rocker. That's the ticking.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
It very likely is the 'two valves on one rocker' sound. I've read that the engine gets quieter if you spring for the Screami' Eagle adjustable lifter setup. It doesn't bother me enough to commit to periodic valve adjustments, at least not yet. We'll see if it gets a whole lot noisier after the cam change I'm planning for next spring. If I install it myself I'll look into my rocker endplay and see if there's any value in shimming them..
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Save yourself some time. Rocker end play was though to be a source of valve train noise in the twin cam motor for a while until several guys, including myself, learned that reducing end play does not reduce valve train noise. Years ago more than a few guys went to the trouble to machine rocker ends flat for a true surface and shim clearance to +/-.004 only to learn that it made no difference. Granted, this was on twin cams, not M8s.
Along cam the Rocker Locker solution which did solve the issue if the noise was related to the movement of the rocker shaft in the support which was the main source of chronic twin cam valve train noise.
Along cam the Rocker Locker solution which did solve the issue if the noise was related to the movement of the rocker shaft in the support which was the main source of chronic twin cam valve train noise.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
Whats funny is that people complained initially that the M8s felt and sounded like a Goldwing. Now, when you get the more traditional Harley sounds like viable train noise and shift clunk, people complain about that. Just ride it, or buy a Goldwing.
Last edited by TriGeezer; Apr 12, 2020 at 10:51 AM.
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: May 2011
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 439
From: florida
[QUOTE=TriGeezer;19029072]Modern design, and manufacturing processes, do not require and critical alignment by the employee. They are not slapped together./QUOTE]
Ive done several tear downs of from factory bikes that had irregularities from what manual calls for whether its torque values, washer orientation, wire routing, over glued spots, stripped holes then gooped up getto fixed, had a main wiring harness w partial slice, all from factory only touched bikes. So ya...slapped together is accurate description.
Ive done several tear downs of from factory bikes that had irregularities from what manual calls for whether its torque values, washer orientation, wire routing, over glued spots, stripped holes then gooped up getto fixed, had a main wiring harness w partial slice, all from factory only touched bikes. So ya...slapped together is accurate description.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,900
Likes: 8,007
From: poway
If it really bothers you, you can try a different set of lifters. Stock ones suck. Also since there is 2 valves per rocker arm, the valve stem protrusion might not be the same causing a tick. HD came out with a rocker that allows you to accommodate the difference. You can give them a try. Be careful if installing the rockers with stock pushrods, If you **** the rocker tightening the rocker shaft down, you can snap the rocker tower off the head.