Valve ticking.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 364
From: Okmulgee
I was told the same thing. Mine has a tapping around 2000-2100 rpm, from day one. Dino vs synthetic made no difference. Several forum members have the same noise, so it is not uncommon. The rocker arm only has one adjuster even though it operates both valves and solid push rods. I suspect it is the difference between the 2 valve stem lengths. The only solution might be adjustable push rods, but that is no guarantee either. My previous 2 M8's were quiet.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 199
Likes: 80
From: Innerkip, Ontario
Just bought an18 road king . The valves sound terrible to me. Took it back to Mad river harley and they said it was normal, there is nothing wrong! I would expect this noise out of an 1983 escort with 150,000 miles. Not a new Harley. My friend has a new ultra classic and it doesn't make any noise. Pissed to no end! Dealership won't do anything , now what. Does Harley seriously build an engine deliberately that sounds like the valves have excessive lash?
It makes the normal sound of the valves seem worse.
I'm going to be installing a tank lift kit on my RK shortly. I'm curious to hear what affect this might or might not have on my valve train noise.
I get some of this noise too on extremely hot days when the oil viscosity is at its thinnest.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 631
Likes: 279
From: Arkansas
Ah, I thought it was on all M8's. I'm not sure it is worth installing all that if it could be the cam ramp.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,676
Likes: 11,468
From: State of Confusion
after 2 years and 25000 miles I'm amazed how quiet my 107 is and void of any sort of engine noises for the most part, hot, cold, high heat, elevation..it's just so smooth and quiet the whole time and just lovin' it..it' was dyno tuned early on with SEPST and SE muffs and AC..extremely impressed as my previous TCs similarly modified sounded like a 30 year old Maytag with gravel in it in comparison..I have been thinking lately since I got the 5 year ESP maybe I should do the SE Stage 2 but just can't convince myself to change anything cuz it runs so damn great
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 237
Likes: 40
From: Central Iowa
I took mine in this weekend because the clattering valve train noise is driving me crazy. The highly motivated guy as the desk (Yes, HUGE sarcasm there) says "This your first street glide?", Like I should just expect all street glides to rattle like crazy. After 3 hours of going back and forth they basically said its normal and I should just learn to live with an expensive rattling sob. I'm so annoyed with this bike that I don't even want to ride it. I've already put it up for sale in my local craigslist and facebook market place.
If it sells it sells, if it doesn't I'll just keep looking for a fix and try not to hate the bike. Hopefully someone comes up with a solution, I highly doubt Harley will.
If it sells it sells, if it doesn't I'll just keep looking for a fix and try not to hate the bike. Hopefully someone comes up with a solution, I highly doubt Harley will.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Oh yeah, it's the MoCo...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I took mine in this weekend because the clattering valve train noise is driving me crazy. The highly motivated guy as the desk (Yes, HUGE sarcasm there) says "This your first street glide?", Like I should just expect all street glides to rattle like crazy. After 3 hours of going back and forth they basically said its normal and I should just learn to live with an expensive rattling sob. I'm so annoyed with this bike that I don't even want to ride it. I've already put it up for sale in my local craigslist and facebook market place.
If it sells it sells, if it doesn't I'll just keep looking for a fix and try not to hate the bike. Hopefully someone comes up with a solution, I highly doubt Harley will.
If it sells it sells, if it doesn't I'll just keep looking for a fix and try not to hate the bike. Hopefully someone comes up with a solution, I highly doubt Harley will.
I did the above to my Rushmore, less the rockers, to make it stop sounding like a rattling POS.
Welcome to "The Harley Lifestyle", Bro.
Last edited by jpooch00; Aug 13, 2018 at 07:55 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 52
Likes: 8
From: VERMILION OHIO
Valve ticking.
I took mine in this weekend because the clattering valve train noise is driving me crazy. The highly motivated guy as the desk (Yes, HUGE sarcasm there) says "This your first street glide?", Like I should just expect all street glides to rattle like crazy. After 3 hours of going back and forth they basically said its normal and I should just learn to live with an expensive rattling sob. I'm so annoyed with this bike that I don't even want to ride it. I've already put it up for sale in my local craigslist and facebook market place.
If it sells it sells, if it doesn't I'll just keep looking for a fix and try not to hate the bike. Hopefully someone comes up with a solution, I highly doubt Harley will.
If it sells it sells, if it doesn't I'll just keep looking for a fix and try not to hate the bike. Hopefully someone comes up with a solution, I highly doubt Harley will.
I picked my road king from mad river harley last night and the tech just brought my bike out and said here ya go. I'm so pissed I even went there to buy this thing! I didn't test ride ride it because what could possibly go wrong ? 2 year warranty! I could blow up before o got out of the parking lot and Harley would Fix it! No worries! Now I'm stuck with this ticking piece of junk! Guess it will just sit until someone comes yo p with something to fix it ! Its embarrassing that my dunbass paid 20+ grand for a machine that sounds like a shade tree mechanic set the valves with a tooth pick!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I picked my road king from mad river harley last night and the tech just brought my bike out and said here ya go. I'm so pissed I even went there to buy this thing! I didn't test ride ride it because what could possibly go wrong ? 2 year warranty! I could blow up before o got out of the parking lot and Harley would Fix it! No worries! Now I'm stuck with this ticking piece of junk! Guess it will just sit until someone comes yo p with something to fix it ! Its embarrassing that my dunbass paid 20+ grand for a machine that sounds like a shade tree mechanic set the valves with a tooth pick!
Buying ANYTHING from the MoCo is a crap-shoot at best. The more expensive the article is, the more likely it is that you're getting screwed.
That seems to be their business plan, and who could really argue with it? Way over 100 years and they're still at it with absolutely no change in sight.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 199
Likes: 80
From: Innerkip, Ontario
I picked my road king from mad river harley last night and the tech just brought my bike out and said here ya go. I'm so pissed I even went there to buy this thing! I didn't test ride ride it because what could possibly go wrong ? 2 year warranty! I could blow up before o got out of the parking lot and Harley would Fix it! No worries! Now I'm stuck with this ticking piece of junk! Guess it will just sit until someone comes yo p with something to fix it ! Its embarrassing that my dunbass paid 20+ grand for a machine that sounds like a shade tree mechanic set the valves with a tooth pick!