Bad Noises...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Bad Noises...
Not Very, however, I am mechanically inclined. What I guess I don't understand is how you can say that the lifter cannot stick.Is it nota moving part? To my knowlege, it moves up and down inside the tappet. It can become stuck just like in a car.
First off, the lifter moves up and down in the guide, not a tappet. A tappet is just another name for the lifter.
A car has a hydraulic lifter which will collapse if there is no oil pressure. I suppose this type of lifter could collapse and then stick in the high position, up off the cam lobe. But on a car engine, not a Sporty.
A Sportster has a solid lifter. There is a continuous connection from the cam lobe to the lifter, from the lifter to the pushrod, from the pushrod to the rocker arm, from the rocker arm to the end of the valve it serves.
Now picture this: If the lifter could stick (it cannot) it would have to stick at the highest position so that the cam could continue to rotate.
What happens then? The lifter is at it's highest position, so the pushrod is at it's highest position as well. What does that mean? It means the valve is fully in the open position.
Think about it, here is the valve stuck in the open position and here comes that piston heading up to the top of it's stroke. Result? Absolute disaster and the engine is ruined.
Like I say, a stuck lifter ain't gonna happen.
I think what you are experiencing is this: You just got off a Honda and you are surprised by the noise a Sporty makes. The solution is to either get used to it and find pride in riding farm equipment, or go back to riding the Brand X.......pg
First off, the lifter moves up and down in the guide, not a tappet. A tappet is just another name for the lifter.
A car has a hydraulic lifter which will collapse if there is no oil pressure. I suppose this type of lifter could collapse and then stick in the high position, up off the cam lobe. But on a car engine, not a Sporty.
A Sportster has a solid lifter. There is a continuous connection from the cam lobe to the lifter, from the lifter to the pushrod, from the pushrod to the rocker arm, from the rocker arm to the end of the valve it serves.
Now picture this: If the lifter could stick (it cannot) it would have to stick at the highest position so that the cam could continue to rotate.
What happens then? The lifter is at it's highest position, so the pushrod is at it's highest position as well. What does that mean? It means the valve is fully in the open position.
Think about it, here is the valve stuck in the open position and here comes that piston heading up to the top of it's stroke. Result? Absolute disaster and the engine is ruined.
Like I say, a stuck lifter ain't gonna happen.
I think what you are experiencing is this: You just got off a Honda and you are surprised by the noise a Sporty makes. The solution is to either get used to it and find pride in riding farm equipment, or go back to riding the Brand X.......pg
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 763
From: Heart of Dixie
RE: Bad Noises...
ORIGINAL: 79worries
....Well, this is exactly what I did. I got off my CBR (I know i'm going to catch hell for this), and got on this piece of farm equipment.....
....Well, this is exactly what I did. I got off my CBR (I know i'm going to catch hell for this), and got on this piece of farm equipment.....
It's not farm equipment - it's a fine, rideable antique. You have to realize that's what it is to appreciate and enjoy it. Coming off a modern bike, an Ironhead will sound to many like it's coming apart, but most of the noises will be normal. If it bothers you, get a good, trusted old-time Harley mechanic to look at it.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
RE: Bad Noises...
I came off a Norton, and I had my perfectly fine 71 sportser apart in about a week, I never could find anything out of spec....................but that does not mean that you don't have a problem. Did you hear this engine before the valves where adjusted? I would not think a mechanic would not check his work.I think the best thing would be for you to buy a book and check the valve adjustments yourself. it's not that hard, and if you are riding a vintage bike, you should really know a little about what's going on inside, your life may depend on it, as some of these so called harley mechanics don't know poo.
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Bad Noises...
Yo, PG, thanks for being patient with a guy that just doesn't have the experience with these things. Nobody learned anything by thinking that they knew everything. And is that plow attachment discontinued? I called the hd shop and they said they couldn't get it. I'll have to try an aftermarket I guess.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Bad Noises...
Hey, no problem. Non of us know it all.
Just recently here on the forum I got out of line on trying to give advice on a 1977 Sporty and thought I would never get the egg off my face over that one.
I have a fair knowledge of 1974 and earlier machines and try to refrain from commenting on the newer bikes. There are members here who have those pegged pretty good.
So, I learned a couple of things at that time. I don't think I crawled out of my hole for a week or so after the 'enlightenment.'
As a group, we have a lot of knowledge between us and that gets shared with anyone who asks. Jump over to some of the other sites and the main discussion is regarding 'Which piece of chrome did you last buy?'etc, etc. We are a little different group here at the ironside site. More like a collection of wrenches I guess, so we have a nice toolbox.
Well, there I go again with my 2 centavos worth............pg.
Just recently here on the forum I got out of line on trying to give advice on a 1977 Sporty and thought I would never get the egg off my face over that one.
I have a fair knowledge of 1974 and earlier machines and try to refrain from commenting on the newer bikes. There are members here who have those pegged pretty good.
So, I learned a couple of things at that time. I don't think I crawled out of my hole for a week or so after the 'enlightenment.'
As a group, we have a lot of knowledge between us and that gets shared with anyone who asks. Jump over to some of the other sites and the main discussion is regarding 'Which piece of chrome did you last buy?'etc, etc. We are a little different group here at the ironside site. More like a collection of wrenches I guess, so we have a nice toolbox.
Well, there I go again with my 2 centavos worth............pg.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
Likes: 6
From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
RE: Bad Noises...
ORIGINAL: 79worries
I called the hd shop and they said they couldn't get it.
I called the hd shop and they said they couldn't get it.
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Bad Noises...
OK, update on the bad noises. Now, this weekend I decided to just go ahead and throw caution to the wind and ride this beast. But little guy in my head:"Check the tranny juice", so I go ahead and listen this time and change the fluid in the tranny. Lo and behold, it is very silver. I change this fluid and I'm startled enough to change the motor oil as well...also silver. Guys, I'm gettinga lot of metal here and if you say that that is normal, I'm never coming to this site again! J/K On the bright side, I think that the fluid change has quieted it down a little.
Also, I took a listening tool(screwdriver) to the motor while running, and most of the noise seems to be coming from the front of the motor, near the generator. Any guesses?
Also, I took a listening tool(screwdriver) to the motor while running, and most of the noise seems to be coming from the front of the motor, near the generator. Any guesses?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
RE: Bad Noises...
Man, I wish I could take a listen to this. I think you should pull the generator and make sure the drive gear is not loose. Then you might want to load the idler (insde the timing chest) with your finger just to see how much lash the cam drive has. these engines are a little (read very) noisey, it may be normal, but I have seen the timing cover bushings start rocking in the cover and cause all kinds of noise. As far as silver oil, well thats prob. not real good, although some metalic color in the oil is the norm. on most of the earlier HD engines. ( Harleys start wearing out as soon as you start them)
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 189
Likes: 39
From: Guildford, UK
RE: Bad Noises...
I'm new to Ironheads, but I also had a noise that sounded vaguely as though it was coming from the generator and metal 'powder' in the transmission oil.
Found out my primary chain adjuster had fallen to pieces and the chain was working its way through various bits of metal. Fitted a new one,same thing happened again!
Took it apart and realy clamped the platic part in securely and so far its OK and one of the noises has gone away.
STILL sounds noiser than a Triumph tho!
So, I'd recommend you take off the primary chain cover and have a look.
Found out my primary chain adjuster had fallen to pieces and the chain was working its way through various bits of metal. Fitted a new one,same thing happened again!
Took it apart and realy clamped the platic part in securely and so far its OK and one of the noises has gone away.
STILL sounds noiser than a Triumph tho!
So, I'd recommend you take off the primary chain cover and have a look.
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