Valve train noise
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 589
Likes: 93
From: Stockholm
There is a bright clattering noise, at load around 3.000 rpm, which I just identified coming from the front cylinder, by recording it through an electronic stethoscope taped on the rocker boxes. When I did the big bore two years ago I saw witness marks on the front rocker assembly bolts, (pictures are above in the thread). I am now pretty much sure the noise is coming from the front rocker arms rotating back and forth, hitting the rocker arm assembly bolts. I will fix this the coming winter with rocker arm bushings (Rocker Lockers).
Otherwise my bike runs very well. It is now over two years and about 8000 miles since the 98 ci bore, and I am happy about how it runs.
I want to thank you for your support during this time, (not forgetting Max Headflow and others).
Best Ragards
Oak Mountain Rider
Otherwise my bike runs very well. It is now over two years and about 8000 miles since the 98 ci bore, and I am happy about how it runs.
I want to thank you for your support during this time, (not forgetting Max Headflow and others).
Best Ragards
Oak Mountain Rider
Last edited by OakMountainRider; Aug 19, 2025 at 03:14 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 7,434
From: OH
I had slight witness marks, installed the bushings, no change
Others report success.
The mystery to me has always been: IF it`s the rocker shafts, why do they only make noise at certain RPM`s ?
I admit I have no clue
Good luck
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 589
Likes: 93
From: Stockholm
FWIW: that fix has a 50/50 chance of working
I had slight witness marks, installed the bushings, no change
Others report success.
The mystery to me has always been: IF it`s the rocker shafts, why do they only make noise at certain RPM`s ?
I admit I have no clue
Good luck
I had slight witness marks, installed the bushings, no change
Others report success.
The mystery to me has always been: IF it`s the rocker shafts, why do they only make noise at certain RPM`s ?
I admit I have no clue
Good luck
P. S. I also been thinking about why the noises I hear only appear at around 3.000 rpm and load. At 4.000 rpm I do not hear anything.
Last edited by OakMountainRider; Aug 20, 2025 at 06:54 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 7,434
From: OH
Both of my Indy friends ( successful shops) expressed skepticism, but I had the tank off for new throttle cables and @ $15 I gave it a try
Last edited by eighteight; Aug 20, 2025 at 08:26 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19,742
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From: Jamestown, CA
...................I like that cart .
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
These witness marks to me don't look like the rocker shaft is rotating. In the following video @49 seconds you will see half moon shaped witness marks in the rocker assembly retaining bolts., These are from a rotating rocker shaft.. Rocker lockers are always a good repair as it will locate the rocker assembly properly to the cylinder head and valves.
What I highlighted in bold, are saying you that your going to replace the bushings in the rocker arm?? I don't believe I ever saw one that had worn that much to create a ticking sound.. I would measure the shaft and the bushing to see what you actual clearance is.. .002" is acceptable and will be quiet with proper oil pressure.. .0035" is the max wear limit.
If anything I would check your rocker arm end play.. They are almost always over spec. .007" is a good target. If your over .015" I'll bet that's your noise..
There is a bright clattering noise, at load around 3.000 rpm, which I just identified coming from the front cylinder, by recording it through an electronic stethoscope taped on the rocker boxes. When I did the big bore two years ago I saw witness marks on the front rocker assembly bolts, (pictures are above in the thread). I am now pretty much sure the noise is coming from the front rocker arms rotating back and forth, hitting the rocker arm assembly bolts. I will fix this the coming winter with rocker arm bushings (Rocker Lockers).
Otherwise my bike runs very well. It is now over two years and about 8000 miles since the 98 ci bore, and I am happy about how it runs.
I want to thank you for your support during this time, (not forgetting Max Headflow and others).
Best Ragards
Oak Mountain Rider
Otherwise my bike runs very well. It is now over two years and about 8000 miles since the 98 ci bore, and I am happy about how it runs.
I want to thank you for your support during this time, (not forgetting Max Headflow and others).
Best Ragards
Oak Mountain Rider
If anything I would check your rocker arm end play.. They are almost always over spec. .007" is a good target. If your over .015" I'll bet that's your noise..
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Aug 22, 2025 at 08:30 PM.