Valve ticking.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,712
Likes: 14,019
From: Northern New Jersey
When I got my 2017 Road King new it had some valve train noise. Enough where I searched these forums looking for information to ease my pain. After around 2,000 miles it quieted down to where you hardly hear it. More like a sewing machine humming along smoothly.
Ya got nothing to lose by riding it and seeing how it goes. Try not to dwell on it.
Ya got nothing to lose by riding it and seeing how it goes. Try not to dwell on it.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 433
From: Menifee, CA
One thing that a rider can do to greatly reduce the engine clatter is to ride with his legs tucked against the gas tank, rather than splayed out into the breeze. Your thighs will block an awful lot of that racket. Also, wear earplugs. And a decent helmet.
I never had a motorcycle that didn't make more clatter noise than I'd like. I wish I'd live long enough to own and ride a perfected long distance touring electric motorcycle. I've got an electric car, and for sure they make almost no noise at all. They're so quiet, the government forced them to put a noise maker on the car so pedestrians can hear me coming. In the meantime we have these clattery throwbacks to a dead age. That's what we love about 'em.
I never had a motorcycle that didn't make more clatter noise than I'd like. I wish I'd live long enough to own and ride a perfected long distance touring electric motorcycle. I've got an electric car, and for sure they make almost no noise at all. They're so quiet, the government forced them to put a noise maker on the car so pedestrians can hear me coming. In the meantime we have these clattery throwbacks to a dead age. That's what we love about 'em.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 631
Likes: 279
From: Arkansas
I wonder if it is a chain tensioner I am hearing? I cannot hear it in my garage and it does make some of the noise with the clutch engaged in neutral. But nothing like it does when riding. IDK, just thinking out loud.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 52
Likes: 8
From: VERMILION OHIO
It's really frustrating. I just cant believe the dealer says it's normal! Most mechanics would get fired if the set valves that sounded like this and said they were normal!
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 358
Likes: 67
From: Dallas, TX
hint: its impossible as the motors come from the factory....
All this is is tolerance stacking paired with a cam that has a fast close rate, most likely due to trying to get a lot of performance out of the motor as well as comply with EPA. So they hang the valve a bit for a bit more scavenging, but the result is the need to then close it quickly. THEN add the fact that you have 2 valves that are closing at the same time vs. the old twin cam that only had 1 valve event at a time and its a recipe for a noisy valve train.
There are tons of CARS with noisy valve trains these days for the same reasons as this motor is noisy, but those cars have insulated plastic coverings over everything, insulated firewall, etc... so you dont hear it... Lets not bring up direct injection injector ticking........
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 324
From: slinger wi