EVO All Evo Model Discussion

1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 07:06 AM
  #1  
Crank_Case's Avatar
Crank_Case
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Default 1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head

Ive only had this electra glide for a month and I would like to quiet it down.. the front head has a rather loud tick it dosent get worse the faster i go its just loud.... One mechanic said its my rocker arm bushings another said to get ajustatble pushrods what would be my best choice? mobil1 20/50 is the oil i use..
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 07:45 AM
  #2  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,402
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
Community Team
Default RE: 1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head

Well I'll tell ya,

My '87 has had one since 12,000 miles (it now has 81,000) I've replaced every piece of the valve train at some time or other. Seems to be heard at the front exhaust port at times, others it comes from the rocker box. Every time I changed something, the tick was still there, just sounded different. I've even done a complete rebuild myself, rod bearings and all. Later, I replaced every piece of the valve train all at one time. Rockers, shafts, valves, springs, tappet guides, tappets, pushtubes, pushtube covers, cam, bearings and nose cone bushing. Guess what - it's quieter, but still there! The shafts were tight in the rocker box lowers, but that's the only thing I didn't replace.

So, you may hit on something with little effort (I hope so) but don't expect that tick ghost to go away easily. Some bikes just do it I reckon and I don't wantto sound discouraging, but try to not let it consume you like it did me.

AND, if by chance you do hit on it, by all means let me know!
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 07:55 AM
  #3  
Crank_Case's Avatar
Crank_Case
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Default RE: 1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head

well little things like that do consume me, but thanks .. I will not worry with it so much ,I was fixing to tear into it..My search has lead me to believe its the front exhaust valve being at a steeper angle ,wont let the lifter pump up enough so the only fix i have found is to put in a solid lifter for the front exhaust.. I think I will ride it this summer and try that this winter...At least I hope i can put it off..it is annoying
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 08:02 AM
  #4  
guild's Avatar
guild
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: 1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head


I dont think there is an easy answer without being able to listen to it.... Funny as it sounds first go simple... like i said without hearing the bike.. I would check the exsaust gaskets see if they are loose or need replacing.. lifteror pushrodnoise will come from the right side of the engine... Use your hand when you start the bike before its hot feel around and try to narrow down where the sound is coming from.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 08:04 AM
  #5  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,402
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
Community Team
Default RE: 1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head

Last time I did a "single" thing, I replaced the valve springs with high lift type. Taht thing didn't tick - it hammered! And I said screw it and rode interstate for 3 days - HARD. It actually got quieter.

I get tore up about such things too, but wanted to tell my deal in hopes you'd know you're not alone and will ride this summer rather than keep it constantly torn down hunting.

There is a sharper angle on the front exhaust from the tappet up, but a solid won't help you - I tried that too. That valve is know to HD people to always be "the noisy one" and mine was so bad at times I could hear it echo off objects on my left. And yes, it's aggrevating to see another Evo, even with a big cam that's quiet as a mouse while mine ticks.... I do know how you feel.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 12:27 PM
  #6  
Ribcracker's Avatar
Ribcracker
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: 1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head

trick to find a noise is to get a long screwdriver and palce the tip to the engine and then rest you ear to the end of the handle. Works like a stephiscope and you will be able to pin point where the noise is coming from.
 
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2008 | 10:54 AM
  #7  
bikerdad5's Avatar
bikerdad5
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: abercrombie north dakota
Default RE: 1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head

MY 91 ticks for about 5-10 minutes(depends how cold and how long it has sat) the gets quiet.
 
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2008 | 06:41 PM
  #8  
mn.roadking's Avatar
mn.roadking
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
From: Glyndon, MN
Default RE: 1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head

This is normal...More noticable on a bike with a windshield or fairing as the sound is reflected back at the driver. The engine noise keeps me company on long trips(it's talking to you)
 
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 28, 2008 | 08:56 PM
  #9  
Steve On 3's Avatar
Steve On 3
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
Default RE: 1995 evo FLHTC ticking in head

I've replaced about everything on mine plus soem things you might not think about like engine mounts, primary chain, compensator nut big axle lifters, adjustible p[ushrods and it still is noisy. Have had it to several different shops and the best advice I got was from an old wrench with 20w50 in his veins. .... " Just ride the sumbitch until something flys off, blows up or quits".. I have and my stress level is down considerably.

Ride safe

Bubba
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
04NightSpider#47/50
Engine Mechanical Topics
1
May 8, 2018 08:43 PM
gump305
EVO
21
Nov 16, 2013 09:09 AM
Bow-Tie-Boy
Softail Models
4
Mar 26, 2012 07:29 PM
HGM
EVO
9
Apr 11, 2009 07:08 AM
Red98RoadKing
EVO
7
Nov 12, 2008 08:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:55 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