Valve ticking.
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 52
Likes: 8
From: VERMILION OHIO
Valve ticking.
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?
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 631
Likes: 279
From: Arkansas
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.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 358
Likes: 67
From: Dallas, TX
I have 2 bikes with M8's. Both have loud valve trains between 2100-2400 RPM. Lots of threads here. Perfectly normal.
My Ultra Limited quieted down around 650-700 miles, but it still makes the noise.
Eventually I will put the screaming eagle adjustable rockers, S&S premium lifters and adjustable push rods in both and I am guessing with a little more pre-load it will quiet down some.
Loud valve trains are not out of the ordinary. My Z06 corvette has a loud valve train, the LS7 motor is notorious for it. Loud valves are directly attributed to cam ramp rates, specifically on the closing side. For cars, COMP and Cam Motion have developed newer lobes that have a softer close(it closes fast until the last fractions then it slows the close down right as the valves seat) that helps quiet things down.
My Ultra Limited quieted down around 650-700 miles, but it still makes the noise.
Eventually I will put the screaming eagle adjustable rockers, S&S premium lifters and adjustable push rods in both and I am guessing with a little more pre-load it will quiet down some.
Loud valve trains are not out of the ordinary. My Z06 corvette has a loud valve train, the LS7 motor is notorious for it. Loud valves are directly attributed to cam ramp rates, specifically on the closing side. For cars, COMP and Cam Motion have developed newer lobes that have a softer close(it closes fast until the last fractions then it slows the close down right as the valves seat) that helps quiet things down.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 358
Likes: 67
From: Dallas, TX
My slim already has full exhaust and tuner on it so my powertrain warranty is already gone on that bike. My ultra is still stock for now until I verify it has no transmission fluid transfer or sumping. So far almost 2k miles and zero evidence of either.
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 52
Likes: 8
From: VERMILION OHIO
My last bike was a 2000 duece and the terms sumping and transfer are not familiar to me. Can you guys fill me in on what I might be looking looking for?
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Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
If he "just bought it" as he says, it already has dino oil in it from the factory (they only put Syn3 in the CVO bikes).
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 638
Likes: 127
From: Kentucky
My m8 at idle is pretty damn smooth. No valve noise to talk about imo. But when your riding it and roll on the throttle it certainly has some noise of which i think is detonation but im not 100 percent. Has been to dealer and they cant find anyrhing wrong. They did flash it with the latest dowload though. I will ride it and if it gets worse i will send it back untill warrenty is out then i will slap a tuner on it and see what i can do with it in terms of running better. If that dont work and it stilm concerns me i will trade the ****er off for a twin cam aftwr many extensive test rides to ensure im nit getting a lemon. Bottom line is i feel your pain. Its 2018 these motors should be smooth as butter in terms of irregular sounds and mechanical issues for 20 to 20k dollers that we pay for them. Pisses me off to read and hear about alll the problems people are having.
