Cold startup rattle
I'm running AMSOIL in my 2020 FLTRK. Bike has about 19K miles. I get the lifter rattle on cold start-up when temps are below 40ish.. lasts a few seconds and then goes away. Made me nervous the first time I heard it but I've gotten used to it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
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From: Carlsbad, CA
Its been a while since I, the OP, updated this. Several oil changes, new filters later, I still get the rattle. Its worse if I park the bike vertical in my wheel chock. And only occurs if it sat overnight. Its always in my San Diego garage, so probably never gets colder than 55 degrees. It did it when I had the OEM lifters. Then when the dealer did my Stage 2, I bought S&S lifters for them to install. It didnt seem to do it after that upgrade, but then a little while later it starting doing it again. Im wondering if thats just the nature of the beast
or did the dealer pocket my S&S lifters and not replace them.
Is it possible to examine the lifters, without pulling out the push rods?
im running Amsoil maybe just for yucks, Ill put in Dino oil.
Is it possible to examine the lifters, without pulling out the push rods?
im running Amsoil maybe just for yucks, Ill put in Dino oil.
Last edited by TriGeezer; May 1, 2022 at 11:56 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 184
Likes: 90
From: Connecticut
Sound like you have a lifter bleeding down overnight and taking awhile to pump back up. I had a set of S&S premium lifters and one or two would take forever to pump back up. Ended up replacing them on my dime
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 2,397
From: Florida
Its been a while since I, the OP, updated this. Several oil changes, new filters later, I still get the rattle. Its worse if I park the bike vertical in my wheel chock. And only occurs if it sat overnight. Its always in my San Diego garage, so probably never gets colder than 55 degrees. It did it when I had the OEM lifters. Then when the dealer did my Stage 2, I bought S&S lifters for them to install. It didnt seem to do it after that upgrade, but then a little while later it starting doing it again. Im wondering if thats just the nature of the beast
or did the dealer pocket my S&S lifters and not replace them.
Is it possible to examine the lifters, without pulling out the push rods?
im running Amsoil maybe just for yucks, Ill put in Dino oil.
Is it possible to examine the lifters, without pulling out the push rods?
im running Amsoil maybe just for yucks, Ill put in Dino oil.
People say, oh don't worry about it, but I'm not sure about that. It sounds awful, metal on metal, and that can't be good.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 308
Likes: 127
From: ON Canada
People need to understand hydraulic lifters and how they work. HD even states that lifter rattle is normal on cold starts. However if it doesnt go away within a minute or so, theres a need to investigate further. Ive run Amsoil since new, stock and now a Stage II with new lifters etc. still a slight rattle on a cold start and gone in 15 seconds or less. Lifters need oil pressure before they get quiet. Maybe have the pushrods checked for tightness or proper clearance for starters
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 2,397
From: Florida
People need to understand hydraulic lifters and how they work. HD even states that lifter rattle is normal on cold starts. However if it doesnt go away within a minute or so, theres a need to investigate further. Ive run Amsoil since new, stock and now a Stage II with new lifters etc. still a slight rattle on a cold start and gone in 15 seconds or less. Lifters need oil pressure before they get quiet. Maybe have the pushrods checked for tightness or proper clearance for starters
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,487
Likes: 2,532
From: Lititz Pa
Same happens to my 114 at start up, little raddle at start up about 15 seconds don't bother me as long as it quiets down. I have 40000 on it now and have two years on warranty Hope the dame things Blows. LOL
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Florida
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: State of Confusion
People need to understand hydraulic lifters and how they work. HD even states that lifter rattle is normal on cold starts. However if it doesn’t go away within a minute or so, there’s a need to investigate further. I’ve run Amsoil since new, stock and now a Stage II with new lifters etc. still a slight rattle on a cold start and gone in 15 seconds or less. Lifters need oil pressure before they get quiet. Maybe have the pushrods checked for tightness or proper clearance for starters…
m Harleys have all behaved this way, working as designed and stated per MOCO, without ever having a failure..my current M8, 2020 oil cooled 114 has ~57,000 miles on it and the brief cold lifter noise is the same now as when it was new..the 2021 RGS loaner I have right now with oil cooled 114 with 7,000 miles on it does the exact same thing.....does not make them 'ticking' time bombs....this is one case where hearing "they all do that" is true and perfectly normal..
edit: .another important thing is to ride mellow for the first ~ 10-15 minutes or miles or so until oil gets warmed up enough to properly flow more easily to all the areas it needs to...I have seen many owners over the years fire them up cold and take right off...lack of common sense or just ignorant or don't care, take your pick, but that can contribute or lead to premature damage to engine components
Last edited by mjwebb; Nov 17, 2022 at 11:41 AM.