Don’t you just hate it when…..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,981
Likes: 5,219
From: Michigan
My "rattle finders": a rubber mallet, a short piece of siphon hose and a bike jack.
Tap-tap here, tap-tap there with the mallet for loose stuff and the siphon hose can be used as a stethoscope for engine noises and if all else fails the jack comes out and the bike is ran while setting atop of it.
Two of the most surprises noises that I have ever found turned out to be loose bolts on the front rotor pf my '87 Softail (it sounded like a severe engine knock above 35-40 MPH!
The other was a squeaking or knocking sound on my wife's '99 Heritage but it would only make the noise at speeds over 45MPH.
It turned out to be the "moon hubcap) on the front wheel!
Somehow the center (axle) hold and worn in a slightly oval shape and at low (and higher) speeds it was quiet.
Tap-tap here, tap-tap there with the mallet for loose stuff and the siphon hose can be used as a stethoscope for engine noises and if all else fails the jack comes out and the bike is ran while setting atop of it.
Two of the most surprises noises that I have ever found turned out to be loose bolts on the front rotor pf my '87 Softail (it sounded like a severe engine knock above 35-40 MPH!
The other was a squeaking or knocking sound on my wife's '99 Heritage but it would only make the noise at speeds over 45MPH.
It turned out to be the "moon hubcap) on the front wheel!
Somehow the center (axle) hold and worn in a slightly oval shape and at low (and higher) speeds it was quiet.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,078
Likes: 19,235
From: The Wasteland
I bought a brand new 2000 Sportster and about 2 weeks after taking it home it started rattling. I checked everything I could think of but couldn't figure it out. Took it to the dealership and told them to call me when they found it and 3 or 4 days later they called and said come get your bike, we fixed the rattle.
Turned out to be the horn bracket between the front down tubes was loose and rattling. I was embarrassed to go get the bike when they told me that.
Turned out to be the horn bracket between the front down tubes was loose and rattling. I was embarrassed to go get the bike when they told me that.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,047
Likes: 72
From: Northwest Louisiana
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 766
Likes: 651
From: Reno, NV
I had a rattle on mine. Was getting pretty annoyed by it. Then one day as I was riding in town it suddenly stopped rattling. I felt relieved. It was so refreshing when it stopped. Then at the next red light traffic signal I stopped..feeling kinda good about myself. Lady pulls up next to me and tells me my license plate fell off back at the last intersection. LOL
I put lock washers on it when I reinstalled the plate.
I put lock washers on it when I reinstalled the plate.
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