EVO Engine Noise Question
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 239
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From: California
EVO Engine Noise Question
Thinking about becoming an Evo owner for the first time (previous bikes are TC). Looking at a 1997 Softail with mileage at about 22,000. No internal mods, only pipes and an AC, and the bike appears to be very meticulously maintained.
I was allowed to ride the bike. It fired up quickly and ran smooth. No popping, backfiring etc. The upper valvetrain noise was louder than my TC, but nothing unusual. However, once it warmed up, I noticed a louder tapping/ticking coming from the front cylinder. It was definitely valvetrain tap that increased with engine RPM. I am not positive that this is a symptom of a problem, could be my imagination. But does the Evo have an issue with noise increasing as the engine warms up?? Is it possible that the owner over-revved this bike and is trying to sell slightly damaged goods?
Thank for any help or insight that you Evo experts can provide.
I was allowed to ride the bike. It fired up quickly and ran smooth. No popping, backfiring etc. The upper valvetrain noise was louder than my TC, but nothing unusual. However, once it warmed up, I noticed a louder tapping/ticking coming from the front cylinder. It was definitely valvetrain tap that increased with engine RPM. I am not positive that this is a symptom of a problem, could be my imagination. But does the Evo have an issue with noise increasing as the engine warms up?? Is it possible that the owner over-revved this bike and is trying to sell slightly damaged goods?
Thank for any help or insight that you Evo experts can provide.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
'Ticking' could be anything from a bad lifter, to a bad rocker, to an exhaust leak. None of which are difficult fixes if needed. Get down with a stethoscope or other listening device and investigate further.
My EVO seems to develop a new noise everytime I ride it. And I've owned it since new (4/93).
Trust me, you'll know when the bad noise happens....
My EVO seems to develop a new noise everytime I ride it. And I've owned it since new (4/93).
Trust me, you'll know when the bad noise happens....
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 239
Likes: 2
From: California
I know you cant really describe a noise, let alone diagnoise one online. I've ruled out exhaust leak and bad lifter but am considering bad rocker here. Any other input would be appreciated. Thank you Hacked.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
These engines can and will transfer noises. I went crazy looking for a valve train noise when it was a bad compensator. Changed it and the noise that sounded like it was in the rocker box went away. Whatever it is it shouldn't be too expensive to fix, but would be a good bargaining chip for a lower price.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,251
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all my evos have had loud rocker boxes, period, espically the front exhaust rocker, it has the most radical angle (valve train geometry) out of all the valves, I would say buy it and ride it, there arent too many flaws in the late model evos chad.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
Actually, I consider all the mechanical noise to be a part of the the 'Harley Mystique'.
Ride it like ya stole it.....
Ride it like ya stole it.....
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
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I have, and believe it or not, they are noisier. chad.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Middle of Kansas
If it has synthetic oil in it, you might try going to dino. My 99 is quieter with dino. I run Castrol GTX 20-50, and it is quieter than Mobil 1 Vtwin 20-50. My 99 also has about 22,000 miles on it, and it runs great. Sometimes just changing oil will quiet them down. I doubt that it was over revved, as they do have a rev limiter.
Last edited by Jim Kraft; Mar 28, 2010 at 06:51 PM. Reason: added info