The fuel tanks on my `89 softail will make a noise that is RPM related when the rubber mount grommets get old, even though they look fine. It makes quite a noise.

 

Heat shields almost every time I think mine is ready to come apart! They make some awful noise.

 

My sporty made a similar noise...it was the gas cap. Just another thing on the list to check. YD

 

I had a gremlin a while back,turned out to be this trim ring that held my headlight in,needed to be really tight....

 

my 89 flhs had the same thing and it was the long horizontal heat shield on the right side bottom. I know because it actually fell off while riding when the metal clamps rusted and broke loose, and immediately the noise was gone! Now the impossible task off trying to find a stock heat shield. Good luck.

 

flhsport, the heat shields from the later bikes, up to 2008, are identical.

 

Mine do that too

 

Thankyou all, including beemervet and wp50. It was the heatshield jubilee clip nearest the rear pot. It seemed tight but wasn't, and needed removing and cleaning before it would grip well.
(UK jubilee clip = hose clamp USA)

 

"nearest the rear pot"

I'm gonna guess pot = muffler

Glad it was simple enough or did ya hit and miss it few times first?

WP

 

Close enough!!!!

Miles out - rear cylinder!