Hi all

Wonder if you can help me. I have a well stored1987 Heritage that has only 14000 miles on it. As it is one of only 2 Harleys (82 Sturgis)I have ever owned I dont take to much notice of noises etc.

However after taking a mate for ride on the back he asked me why my bike makes a rattle when I change into the next gear when accelerating. I began to think about it...... DAM

Any idea's? As I reach about 3500 rpm and the power fades a little I change gears but just before I reach this the top end (I think) rattles. From memory it has always done it but I never took notice before. Now everytime I wind on the gas and get to the higher end of rpm I hear this rattle.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

S&S B Series (Never had a drama)
After market Taper Turbo's
K&N
are my only mods on the old girl. I run high octane fuel and doubt this to be detonation or any of that other stuff I now am nowreading about.

I hate my friend!!!!! hahaha

Thanks Jam[X(]

 

Without listening to your noise, it's pretty hard to tell what it is.

However, you should be able to spin that thing way beyond 3500 RPM. It should pull strong up to wherever the redline is, like 5K, 5.5K or so and the power should certainly not drop off at 3500. It almost sounds like you have a lifter or two either colapsing at 3500, which would expain the noise and the power drop off. The early Evo motors, while (in my opinion) the best motor HD ever made, are said to have weak lifters, which were upgraded a few years later. Get some new HD lifters and some adjustable EZ install push rods and I bet you'll be good to go.

 

I had a rattle on my my well preserved (10,000 miles on it when I bought it 2 summers ago) 1993 Heritage I coudn't figure out. Well after a season I did. It's the brake peddle arm. Only happens on the higher rpm range, if I stick my boot under it and lift it a bit, no rattle.
Just a thought.......

 

Same thought as 800XC. I have chased down many rattles on my '97 Heritage. All tins and covers (especially) those on the left side are suspect, shifter arms,headlight nacelle and windsheild brackets tend to rattle over time.Compensator as well can rattle at higher RPM. My .02 cents.