EVO All Evo Model Discussion

ticking noise

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 8, 2012 | 11:41 PM
  #1  
80cibagger's Avatar
80cibagger
Thread Starter
|
Stage II
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: indiana
Default ticking noise

im new to this, so take it easy on me. just picked up a 1984.5 flhtc electra glide classic 80ci evo with about 40k. all original except the s&s super e carb. the bike has a light ticking noise while running. i was thinking i could convert to solid tappets and adjustible push rods from s&s. while im in there i would like to change the cam and bearing. the question i have is could the tapping be a wore out cam chain tensioner thus causeing it to be out of time and spit back thru the carb. because it does this when i pump the throttle every once in a while. plus the ticking noise is anoying.....id rather hear that exhaust trot along. any help would be greatly appreciated thank you.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2012 | 12:41 AM
  #2  
Spanners39's Avatar
Spanners39
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Default

Well its an Evo so it doesn't have chain tensioners, they all tick but its relative, we would need to be with the bike to determine if it is excessive but the fairing will reflect all the valve train noise back at you.

Spit back is just carby needing jetting correctly.

At 40K you probably wanna change the bearing and lifters but go with stock, your bike don't need solids and it doesn't really need adjustable pushrods but others will argue against it.....as a Harley mechanic I don't think the time savings on potential engine work later down the track outwieghs the security and reliability of the stock lifters and pushrods.

If you gonna pull it apart then put an EV27 Andrews cam in it but be aware that the higher lift will eventually wear the valve stem oil seals and you will get an increase in oil consumption at some point.

If you don't wanna spend heaps then keep the stock cam but replace the bearing (Torrington full-complement upgrade) and the lifters (Hydraulift Forged lifters from parts4powertoys).....then it will run for another 40k without any dramas :-)
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2012 | 12:49 AM
  #3  
blackbear's Avatar
blackbear
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
Default

There isn't a timing chain in any evo engine There all gear driven.The tapping noise could be a lifter going bad due to age.as far as the popping out the carb goes check your intake seals and maybe your carb could use a cleaning/rebuild.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2012 | 06:57 AM
  #4  
GraemeR's Avatar
GraemeR
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 853
Likes: 19
From: Melbourne
Default

+1 to what Spanners said.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2012 | 06:59 AM
  #5  
texashillcountry's Avatar
texashillcountry
Dirt don't hurt
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Default

If it sounds like an angry sewing machine then don't worry about it that is normal.

Spanners makes a lot of good points.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2012 | 01:07 PM
  #6  
80cibagger's Avatar
80cibagger
Thread Starter
|
Stage II
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: indiana
Default

well thank you guys i didnt know there wasnt a timing chain tensioner on the evos. you learn something everyday. as far as the engine goes i want to keep the bike totally original stock form. honestly if i had the stock carb it would be on there. i would say the ticking is excessive because my buddys got an evo on his bike and its nowhere as loud as mine. so it looks like ill be putting hydrolic tappets back in with solid push rods to keep it in stock form. ill check the carb for any leaks around the boot. if non then ill clean the whole carb and put back on and see any difference. i want to keep the cam and bearing in stock form also. just didnt know if i should replace it while im down there or not.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2012 | 02:57 PM
  #7  
jsbridgew's Avatar
jsbridgew
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
Default

the ticking you hear is typically caused from the front exhaust lifter bleeding down too quickly due to the acute angle of things in that particular spot.... it won't affect performance, per se, but it is annoying as all hell

also, if it's bone stock you probably have the first version 'A' lifters in there .... you might consider upgrading to the '18523-86B' lifters....beefier design, and might surely soften the ticking

however, i have a '91 evo with the 'B' lifters and the front exhaust lifter still ticks...BUT, i do have an EV27 cam in there and that does affect how things function from lifters up through valves
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2012 | 04:54 PM
  #8  
Spanners39's Avatar
Spanners39
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Default

Don't keep the cam bearing stock, use the torrington, its straight swap, no machining dramas.
 
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 May 13, 2018 | 05:19 AM
  #9  
longhorne's Avatar
longhorne
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: cyprus
Default Carburetor Chatter

After having replaced the valve train in my '95 Evo, (EV27 cam plus Fueling lifters), I get carb chatter from the piston inside my Mikuni HSR 45. Is it true what I've read that replacing the plate separator "O" ring/gasket can eliminate this problem? I have yet to talk to Mikuni about it!
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2018 | 05:27 AM
  #10  
Uncle G.'s Avatar
Uncle G.
Seasoned HDF Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Default

Originally Posted by Spanners39
Don't keep the cam bearing stock, use the torrington, its straight swap, no machining dramas.
The early Evos, like the OP’s had the Torrington bearing stock. I’d still replace it, just make sure you get the right one-Torrington (now Koyo), like Spanners says.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:07 PM.

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