Loud Tapping on cold start
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Loud Tapping on cold start
I have a 2012 FLHRC 103 and on cold starts I am getting what sounds like a lifter knock ( VERY NOTICEABLE ) It completly goes away after 3 or 4 minutes and only happens on a cold start. The bike has not had the 1000 mile service done yet, so I am hoping that there is an adjustment that can be made to quiet this down. Let me know if this is a common occurance with trhe new 103..
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Fairly common problem with the new "C" lifters. I have seen the issue on several forums and a local builder/tuner in my area that tunes for four dealerships has seen the problem. The "C" lifters that replaced the "B" lifters a couple of a years back are made in Mexico and quality control has not been up to US standards. There have been issues, mostly with the roller as well as lifters that just won't hold pressure due to sloppy tolerances and they will bleed down overnight. In the worst cases, they will bleed down in a few hours.
Not saying that's your problem but it could be.
Not saying that's your problem but it could be.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
I have it at a dealer up here where I am working and they had two mechanics that said the lifter should only take a few seconds to pump up, this one is taking 3-4 minutes. I am hoping that Harley agrees to install new lifters since the bike only has 500 miles on it, I'm sure it will be a hassle. I have also thought about upgrading with some aftermarket lifters instead of the poor quality stuff coming out of Mexico.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Fairly common problem with the new "C" lifters. I have seen the issue on several forums and a local builder/tuner in my area that tunes for four dealerships has seen the problem. The "C" lifters that replaced the "B" lifters a couple of a years back are made in Mexico and quality control has not been up to US standards. There have been issues, mostly with the roller as well as lifters that just won't hold pressure due to sloppy tolerances and they will bleed down overnight. In the worst cases, they will bleed down in a few hours.
Not saying that's your problem but it could be.
Not saying that's your problem but it could be.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
I have it at a dealer up here where I am working and they had two mechanics that said the lifter should only take a few seconds to pump up, this one is taking 3-4 minutes. I am hoping that Harley agrees to install new lifters since the bike only has 500 miles on it, I'm sure it will be a hassle. I have also thought about upgrading with some aftermarket lifters instead of the poor quality stuff coming out of Mexico.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
I wonder if Harley was assuming they were going to get quality parts out of Mexico?? I am sure they will want to put the same junk back in it. If you have some melons that need picked go to Mexico... If you need quality parts for a twenty-thousand dollar motorcycle, DON'T GO TO MEXICO...I will let ya know what happens..
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Purgatory, Fl
I have the same issue, started at about 3k miles after changing to amzoil. only when cold, only untill things warm up. I'll be curious what you find.
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
I would have felt a lot better about things if I could have made it to 3000 miles, this started at about 200 miles. Runs great and quiet after a couple of minutes, but sounds like it is coming apart until its warm. I am hoping that Harley will agree to put the Woods lifdters in and I will cover the difference. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I will have a satisfactory answer??
